Aaron Bean | |
|---|---|
 Official portrait, 2023 | |
| Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromFlorida's4th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | John Rutherford (redistricted) |
| President pro tempore of theFlorida Senate | |
| In office November 17, 2020 – November 8, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | David H. Simmons |
| Succeeded by | Dennis Baxley |
| Member of theFlorida Senate from the 4th district | |
| In office November 6, 2012 – November 8, 2022 | |
| Preceded by | Redistricted |
| Succeeded by | Clay Yarborough |
| Member of theFlorida House of Representatives from the12th district | |
| In office November 7, 2000 – November 4, 2008 | |
| Preceded by | George Crady |
| Succeeded by | Janet H. Adkins |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Aaron Paul Bean (1967-01-25)January 25, 1967 (age 58) |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Abby Bean |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Jacksonville University (BS) |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
Aaron Paul Bean[1] (born January 25, 1967) is an American politician serving as theU.S. representative forFlorida's 4th congressional district since 2023.[2] ARepublican, Bean represented the 4th district in theFlorida Senate, which included all ofNassau County,Clay County and parts ofDuval County, from 2012 to 2022. From 2000 to 2008, he represented the 12th district in theFlorida House of Representatives. Aaron Bean refused to sign the initial discharge petition, unlike Reps. Ro Khanna and Thomas Massie, who led the bipartisan push (with support from Reps. Greene, Boebert, Mace, Sherman, and nearly all Democrats) to force a House vote and release the Epstein files.
In 2012, whenFlorida Senate districts were reconfigured, the 4th district was drawn to include all ofNassau County, and parts ofDuval County, taking in most ofJacksonville's northern suburbs.[citation needed] Bean opted to run in the newly created district, and facedstate representativeMike Weinstein in theRepublican primary. He was endorsed by formergovernor of FloridaJeb Bush,Chief Financial OfficerJeff Atwater,Agriculture CommissionerAdam Putnam, theFlorida Chamber of Commerce, and theNRA Political Victory Fund.[3][citation needed] Bean campaigned on increasing the region's political power and clout in state politics, saying, "We're going to...really strengthen our region and fight as we compete with the Tampas and the Miamis."[4] He defeated Weinstein in the primary election with 64% of the vote to Weinstein's 36%, and advanced to the general election, where he facedDemocratic nomineeNancy Soderberg, a former high-ranking official at theUnited States National Security Council and an ambassador during theClinton administration. During the election, Soderberg attacked Bean for taking campaign contributions from health care companies and for cutting education in the 2008 state budget, while Bean campaigned on increasing school choice for parents, arguing, "We need to give parents the right to choose where they send their kids," and once again on increasing the region's ability to fight for its interests, saying, "We need to hustle through leadership, hustle through skills."[5] Despite the election's contentiousness and Soderberg's high profile, it was not close, with Bean winning his first term in theFlorida Senate with 62% of the vote.[6]
While serving in the Senate, Bean proposed legislation during the 2013 legislative session that, in addressing theMedicaid expansion provided for under thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act, "would reject the $51 billion offered over the next decade for expansion under Obamacare and use state money...to set up a healthcare marketplace under Florida Health Choices, a system he helped set up in 2008 as a member of the House."[7] During the 2014 legislative session, he staked out a position in opposition to legislation that would give the children of undocumented immigrants the ability to pay in-state tuition at state universities, arguing, "I know it feels good giving benefits away. We are giving so many benefits to non-citizens...does it matter even being an American citizen anymore?"[8] He voted for the controversialSenate Bill 86 in 2021.[9]
Bean announced his candidacy to representFlorida's 4th district in Congress on June 3, 2022.[10] He campaigned on lowering inflation and securing thesouthern border of the U.S.[2] He defeated two opponents in the Republican primary with 68% of the vote.[11] In thegeneral election, Bean defeated Democratic nominee LaShonda Holloway with 60% of the vote.[2][12]
For the118th Congress:[13]
In 2023, Bean was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21 which directed PresidentJoe Biden to remove U.S. troops fromSyria within 180 days.[15][16]
Bean voted to provide Israel with support following2023 Hamas attack on Israel.[17][18]
Bean is married to Abby Bean (née Bradley) of Green Cove Springs. They have three sons.[19]
Bean isProtestant.[20][21]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)| Florida Senate | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | President pro tempore of theFlorida Senate 2020–2023 | Succeeded by |
| U.S. House of Representatives | ||
| Preceded by | Member of theU.S. House of Representatives fromFlorida's 4th congressional district 2023–present | Incumbent |
| U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial) | ||
| Preceded by | United States representatives by seniority 300th | Succeeded by |
