Aaron Bean is currently serving as the U.S. Representative for Florida’s 4th congressional district, a position he assumed in January 2023. Born on January 25, 1967, he has a long career in Florida politics prior to his election to the national level.
Career Path to Congress
Aaron Bean’s political career began in Fernandina Beach, Florida, where he served as City Commissioner and Mayor in [year]. His career trajectory includes:
- Elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000, serving for eight years.
- Elected to the Florida Senate in 2012, serving for ten years.
- Presided as Senate President Pro Tempore and Chairman of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services in the Florida Senate.
- Elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 2022 and sworn into office on January 7, [year].
In addition to his political career, Bean has experience in the private sector, having served as the president of Compass Bank in Nassau County for eleven years and established four small businesses, including the High Energy Auction Company.
Sponsored Legislation
As a new member of Congress, Bean has introduced legislation:
- H.R. 8101, the Maintaining Cooperative Permitting Act of 2024, referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure on April 20, [year].
Stances on Social Issues
Bean has adopted conservative positions on various social issues:
- Advocated for the removal of certain books from school libraries due to concerns about explicit content.
- Opposed legislation that would allow in-state tuition for children of undocumented immigrants at state universities.
- Voted for Senate Bill 86 in 2021 while serving in the Florida Senate.
- Chaired a House Education Committee hearing on antisemitism in K-12 education.
Economic Stances
Bean supports conservative economic policies:
- Advocates for pro-business initiatives and tax reductions for Floridians.
- Opposed the CHOICE Arrangement Act, which sought to ease regulations on association health plans.
- Brings firsthand experience of bureaucratic challenges faced by small businesses as a business owner.
National Defense and NDAA
Specific information regarding Bean’s position on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and DARPA is not detailed; however, his general stance on national issues can be inferred:
- Opposes foreign aid spending that detracts from domestic priorities, as indicated by his opposition to the Ukraine supplemental funding package.
- Stresses the importance of border security over international obligations.
Congressional District Demographics
While specific demographic data for Florida’s 4th congressional district is not provided, the district includes all of Nassau County and parts of Duval County, encompassing Jacksonville’s northern suburbs.
Controversial Statements
Bean has made several statements that have received attention:
- On in-state tuition for children of undocumented immigrants: “I know it feels good giving benefits away. We are providing so many benefits to non-citizens… does it even matter to be an American citizen anymore?”
- On explicit content in school libraries: “If these books are too inappropriate for adults, they are certainly too inappropriate for children.”
- Regarding the Ukraine funding package: “We have no business spending billions of taxpayer dollars to protect Ukraine’s border before securing our own.”
Additional Information
Bean serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Workforce and Education Committee, where he chairs the Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education Subcommittee. He is also a member of the House Committee on Small Business.
Throughout his career, Bean has received various awards and recognitions, including the Jacksonville University Distinguished Alumni Award of Excellence and the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations Outstanding Partner Award.
In August 2023, the Campaign Legal Center filed a complaint with the Federal Election Commission, alleging that Bean violated federal “soft money” rules during his 2022 congressional campaign, involving the transfer of over $1.1 million from a state PAC to a federal super PAC supporting his campaign.
Bean’s political career reflects a consistent conservative approach, focusing on pro-business policies, education reform, and national security issues. His recent transition to the U.S. House of Representatives enables him to influence national policy, particularly in education and small business development.