Aaron Bean

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Aaron Bean
BornAaron Paul Bean
1/25/1967
BirthplaceFernandina Beach, Florida, U.S.
NationalityAmerican
OccupationPolitician
Known forU.S. Representative for Florida's 4th congressional district
EducationJacksonville University (BS)
Spouse(s)Abby Bean
Children3
Websitebean.house.gov

Aaron Paul Bean (born January 25, 1967) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 4th congressional district since January 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Bean has spent more than two decades in elected office in Florida, beginning with his tenure in the Florida House of Representatives from 2000 to 2008, followed by a decade in the Florida Senate from 2012 to 2022. Born and raised in Fernandina Beach, a small coastal city in Nassau County, Bean has built his political career in Northeast Florida, representing communities in Nassau, Clay, and parts of Duval County. During his time in the Florida Senate, he served as President pro tempore from 2020 to 2022.[1] In Congress, Bean has focused on health care policy, voter integrity legislation, and combating government fraud. He won his congressional seat in November 2022 in a decisive victory in the newly redrawn 4th district.[2]

Early Life

Aaron Paul Bean was born on January 25, 1967, in Fernandina Beach, Florida, a city located on Amelia Island in Nassau County in the northeastern corner of the state.[3] Fernandina Beach, the county seat of Nassau County, is situated just north of Jacksonville and has historically been a community tied to the shipping, tourism, and paper industries. Bean grew up in this area and maintained deep ties to the community throughout his life and political career.

Bean's roots in Fernandina Beach would later become a defining feature of his political identity, as he consistently represented the Nassau County area in various levels of state and federal government. His familiarity with the region's issues — including coastal development, military-related concerns given the proximity to Naval Station Mayport, and health care access in rural and suburban communities — informed much of his legislative work in subsequent decades.[4]

Education

Bean attended Jacksonville University, a private university located in Jacksonville, Florida, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree.[5] Jacksonville University, founded in 1934, is situated along the St. Johns River and is one of the prominent private institutions of higher education in Northeast Florida. Bean's education at the university provided the foundation for his subsequent career in public service and Florida politics.

Career

Florida House of Representatives (2000–2008)

Bean began his career in elected office in 2000 when he won a seat representing the 12th district in the Florida House of Representatives, succeeding George Crady.[6] He served four terms in the House, representing the district from November 7, 2000, through November 4, 2008. During his time in the state House, Bean developed a legislative record focused on issues relevant to Northeast Florida, including economic development, education, and health care. He was succeeded in the Florida House by Janet H. Adkins following the conclusion of his tenure, which ended due to Florida's term-limits law that restricts state legislators to eight consecutive years in each chamber.[7]

Florida Senate (2012–2022)

After a period out of the legislature following his term-limited departure from the Florida House, Bean ran for the Florida Senate in 2012, seeking the newly redrawn 4th district seat. In the Republican primary on August 14, 2012, Bean defeated Mike Weinstein in a lopsided contest, establishing himself as the dominant candidate in the race.[8]

In the general election, Bean faced Nancy Soderberg, a Democrat who had previously served on the National Security Council during the Clinton administration. The race attracted attention as one of the more competitive state Senate contests in Northeast Florida. Bean and Soderberg engaged in a radio debate in October 2012 in which the two candidates exchanged sharp criticisms of each other's positions and records.[9] Bean prevailed in the November 2012 general election, winning the seat representing a district that encompassed all of Nassau County, Clay County, and portions of Duval County.

During his decade in the Florida Senate, Bean engaged in legislative activity on a range of policy issues. In 2013, he introduced a health care proposal that received coverage in Northeast Florida media, though the plan was reported as unlikely to advance through the legislative process at the time.[10] Health care policy would remain a recurring theme throughout Bean's legislative career at both the state and federal levels.

Bean was also involved in education policy during his Senate tenure. In 2014, the Florida Senate took up legislation related to in-state college tuition, a topic in which Bean participated as part of broader legislative debates about higher education affordability.[11]

President Pro Tempore (2020–2022)

On November 17, 2020, Bean was elevated to the position of President pro tempore of the Florida Senate, succeeding David H. Simmons in the role. He held this leadership position until November 8, 2022, serving as one of the senior officials in the chamber during the final two years of his state legislative career.[12] The President pro tempore position is one of the most senior roles in the Florida Senate, typically reserved for experienced legislators. Bean was succeeded as President pro tempore by Dennis Baxley. His Senate seat for the 4th district was subsequently filled by Clay Yarborough.

U.S. House of Representatives (2023–present)

2022 Campaign

In 2022, following congressional redistricting in Florida, Bean announced his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives in the redrawn 4th congressional district. The redistricting process resulted in significant changes to district boundaries across Florida, and the new 4th district was configured as a seat favorable to Republican candidates in Northeast Florida.[13] The previous incumbent of the area, John Rutherford, was redistricted into a different configuration.

Bean launched his congressional campaign with the backing of his extensive network built over two decades in Florida politics.[14] His campaign filings were registered with the Federal Election Commission under the designation H2FL04211.[15]

In the November 2022 general election, Bean defeated Democratic nominee LaShonda "L.J." Holloway in a decisive victory, carrying the district by a wide margin consistent with the area's Republican-leaning electorate.[16] Florida Politics described the outcome as an "easy CD 4 victory" for Bean, who left the Florida Senate to begin his service in the U.S. House.[17]

Tenure in Congress

Bean took office as the U.S. representative for Florida's 4th congressional district on January 3, 2023.[18] In Congress, he has focused on several key policy areas, including health care, government spending, and election integrity.

Health Care Policy

Health care has been a central focus of Bean's congressional work, continuing a theme from his years in the Florida legislature. In late 2025, Bean worked on issues related to health care tax credits, seeking to find broad consensus as Congress debated the future of health care subsidies. He was reported to be striving for a solution on health care credits that could garner support from a wide range of Americans.[19]

In February 2026, Bean hosted a health care summit in Washington, D.C., focused on prescription drug policy, drawing attention to the cost and availability of prescription medications as a priority issue for his constituents and the nation.[20] This was the second such health care event Bean had organized in Washington, indicating his sustained engagement with health policy issues.

Also in February 2026, Bean introduced the Punishing Health Care Fraudsters Act, a bill designed to enhance criminal penalties for health care fraud. The legislation was framed as a measure to protect taxpayers from the costs associated with fraudulent billing and abuse within the health care system.[21][22] The bill proposed strengthening criminal penalties as a deterrent against fraudulent activity in the health care sector.

In March 2026, Bean introduced the HSA's For All Act, legislation aimed at expanding access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs). The bill was designed to broaden the availability of HSAs to a wider range of Americans, allowing more individuals to set aside pre-tax funds for qualifying medical expenses. Bean framed the legislation as a market-oriented approach to improving health care access and affordability for constituents across the income spectrum.[23] The introduction of the HSA's For All Act reflected Bean's broader legislative philosophy of utilizing consumer-driven mechanisms to address systemic challenges in the health care system.

Bean was also involved in discussions regarding Florida's Medicaid program, as Florida officials and the Trump administration were reported to be at odds over a multibillion-dollar application for a Medicaid program in the state. The dispute involved a stalled application that drew scrutiny from Florida lawmakers.[24]

Government Spending and Shutdowns

Bean has been an active voice on matters related to federal government spending. During a partial government shutdown in early 2026, Bean called on the U.S. Senate to act on the FY26 Homeland Security Appropriations Act, blaming the Senate's inaction for the disruption in government services.[25] He subsequently voted in the House to end the partial government shutdown and restore federal operations.[26]

The same funding dispute that produced the partial government shutdown also affected members of the United States Coast Guard, who faced missed paychecks as a result of the lapse in appropriations. Bean publicly urged immediate relief for Coast Guard personnel, calling on Congress to take legislative action to ensure that service members received their pay without further delay.[27] Bean's advocacy on behalf of Coast Guard personnel underscored his attention to the concerns of military and uniformed service communities, consistent with the defense and military interests that have historically been prominent in his Northeast Florida district given its proximity to major naval installations.

Election Integrity

Bean supported H.R. 7296, known as the SAVE America Act, which requires proof of citizenship for federal voting. The bill passed the House with Bean's support, and he characterized it as a voter integrity measure designed to safeguard the electoral process.[28]

Response to Presidential Address

In early March 2026, Bean issued a public statement responding to President Donald Trump's State of the Union address, in which he highlighted what he characterized as economic progress and legislative achievements under the Trump administration. Bean's comments reflected his general alignment with the policy priorities of the Republican administration during his congressional tenure.[29]

National Security and Classified Briefings

In March 2026, Bean was among the Florida members of the United States House of Representatives who traveled to Washington, D.C., for a classified briefing following an attack on Iran. The briefing, which drew members back to the capital, reflected the heightened national security environment and Bean's role as a member of Congress engaged with matters of foreign policy and military affairs.[30]

Personal Life

Bean resides in Fernandina Beach, Florida, the same community where he was born. He is married to Abby Bean, and the couple has three children.[31] Bean has maintained his residence in Northeast Florida throughout his political career, and his long-standing ties to Fernandina Beach and Nassau County have been a consistent feature of his public identity. His official congressional website is hosted at bean.house.gov.[32]

Political Positions

Bean is a member of the Republican Party and has aligned with conservative positions on fiscal policy, health care, and election law throughout his career. In the Florida Senate, he voted on legislation including Senate Bill 86 during the 2021 legislative session.[33]

At the federal level, Bean has positioned himself as an advocate for stronger penalties against fraud in government programs, reduced government spending, and election integrity measures requiring proof of citizenship for voting.[34] His health care policy work has centered on addressing costs, fraud, and access issues, including hosting policy summits in Washington to bring stakeholders together on these issues.[35]

On the question of health care access, Bean has pursued both regulatory and market-based approaches. His introduction of the HSA's For All Act in March 2026 represented an effort to expand consumer choice and pre-tax savings mechanisms as tools for improving health care affordability, complementing his earlier legislative work on the Punishing Health Care Fraudsters Act, which targeted the supply side of health care system integrity.[36]

Bean has also received endorsement from the Main Street Republican PAC, which listed him among its supported candidates.[37]

References

  1. ↑ "Aaron Bean". 'Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. ↑ "2022 U.S. House District 4 Election Results: Aaron Bean, LaShonda (L.J.) Holloway".The Florida Times-Union.2022-11-08.https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/11/08/2022-u-s-house-district-4-election-results-aaron-bean-lashonda-l-j-holloway/10653944002/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. ↑ "Aaron Bean — Candidate Detail". 'Our Campaigns}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. ↑ "Florida's 4th Congressional District".News4Jax.2022-07-28.https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2022/07/28/floridas-4th-congressional-district/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. ↑ "Aaron Bean — Candidate Detail". 'Our Campaigns}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. ↑ "Aaron Bean — Candidate Detail". 'Our Campaigns}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. ↑ "Aaron Bean — Candidate Detail". 'Our Campaigns}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. ↑ "No contest in Florida Senate 4: Aaron Bean crushes Mike Weinstein".The Florida Times-Union.2012-08-14.http://jacksonville.com/news/florida/2012-08-14/story/no-contest-florida-senate-4-aaron-bean-crushes-mike-weinstein.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. ↑ "Aaron Bean, Nancy Soderberg trade blows in radio debate".The Florida Times-Union.2012-10-29.https://web.archive.org/web/20140524025810/http://members.jacksonville.com/news/florida/2012-10-29/story/aaron-bean-nancy-soderberg-trade-blows-radio-debate.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. ↑ "Sen. Aaron Bean's health care plan likely going nowhere".The Florida Times-Union.2013-04-24.https://web.archive.org/web/20140524044356/http://members.jacksonville.com/news/florida/2013-04-24/story/sen-aaron-beans-health-care-plan-likely-going-nowhere.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. ↑ "Florida Senate Tuition".HuffPost.2014-05-02.https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/05/02/florida-senate-tuition_n_5251222.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. ↑ "Aaron Bean". 'Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. ↑ "Florida's 4th Congressional District".News4Jax.2022-07-28.https://www.news4jax.com/voters-guide/2022/07/28/floridas-4th-congressional-district/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. ↑ "Aaron Bean kicks off congressional campaign".Action News Jax.https://www.actionnewsjax.com/news/local/aaron-bean-kicks-off-congressional-campaign/6TDKMHZMOVE6JL5ABF6B7NOWHE/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. ↑ "Aaron Bean — Candidate". 'Federal Election Commission}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. ↑ "2022 U.S. House District 4 Election Results: Aaron Bean, LaShonda (L.J.) Holloway".The Florida Times-Union.2022-11-08.https://www.jacksonville.com/story/news/politics/elections/2022/11/08/2022-u-s-house-district-4-election-results-aaron-bean-lashonda-l-j-holloway/10653944002/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. ↑ "Aaron Bean leaves Florida Senate for U.S. House in easy CD 4 victory".Florida Politics.https://floridapolitics.com/archives/569381-aaron-bean-leaves-florida-senate-for-u-s-house-in-easy-cd-4-victory/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. ↑ "Aaron Bean". 'Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. ↑ "Aaron Bean strives for consensus on health care credits".Florida Politics.2025-12-04.https://floridapolitics.com/archives/768344-aaron-bean-strives-for-consensus-on-health-care-credits/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. ↑ "Aaron Bean to host health care summit on prescription drug policy".Florida Politics.2026-02.https://floridapolitics.com/archives/778242-aaron-bean-to-host-health-care-summit-on-prescription-drug-policy/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. ↑ "Press Release: U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean Introduces Bill to Combat Health Care Fraud".Quiver Quantitative.2026-02-20.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+U.S.+Congressman+Aaron+Bean+Introduces+Bill+to+Combat+Health+Care+Fraud.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  22. ↑ "Aaron Bean Introduces Bill Combating Healthcare Fraud".Floridian Press.2026-02-21.https://floridianpress.com/2026/02/aaron-bean-introduces-bill-combating-healthcare-fraud/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  23. ↑ "Press Release: Congressman Aaron Bean Introduces HSA's For All Act to Expand Healthcare Access".Quiver Quantitative.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Congressman+Aaron+Bean+Introduces+HSA%E2%80%99s+For+All+Act+to+Expand+Healthcare+Access.Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  24. ↑ "Florida officials, lawmakers probe stalled Medicaid application".Roll Call.2026-02-23.https://rollcall.com/2026/02/23/florida-officials-lawmakers-probe-stalled-medicaid-application/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  25. ↑ "Press Release: Congressman Aaron Bean Addresses Partial Government Shutdown and Calls for Senate Action".Quiver Quantitative.2026-02.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Congressman+Aaron+Bean+Addresses+Partial+Government+Shutdown+and+Calls+for+Senate+Action.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  26. ↑ "Press Release: Congressman Aaron Bean Votes to End Partial Government Shutdown".Quiver Quantitative.2026-02.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Congressman+Aaron+Bean+Votes+to+End+Partial+Government+Shutdown.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  27. ↑ "Press Release: Coast Guard Personnel to Miss Paychecks as Congressman Aaron Bean Urges Immediate Relief".Quiver Quantitative.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Coast+Guard+Personnel+to+Miss+Paychecks+as+Congressman+Aaron+Bean+Urges+Immediate+Relief.Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  28. ↑ "Press Release: House Passes SAVE America Act, Congressman Aaron Bean Supports Voter Integrity Measures".Quiver Quantitative.2026-02.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+House+Passes+SAVE+America+Act%2C+Congressman+Aaron+Bean+Supports+Voter+Integrity+Measures.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  29. ↑ "Press Release: Aaron Bean Responds to President Trump's State of the Union Address".Quiver Quantitative.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Aaron+Bean+Responds+to+President+Trump%27s+State+of+the+Union+Address.Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  30. ↑ "Florida representatives heading to D.C. for classified briefing following Iran attack".Yahoo News.https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/florida-representatives-heading-d-c-170654995.html.Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  31. ↑ "Aaron Bean". 'Biographical Directory of the United States Congress}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  32. ↑ "Congressman Aaron Bean". 'Office of U.S. Representative Aaron Bean}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  33. ↑ "Senate Vote on SB 86". 'Florida Senate}'. 2021. Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  34. ↑ "Press Release: House Passes SAVE America Act, Congressman Aaron Bean Supports Voter Integrity Measures".Quiver Quantitative.2026-02.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+House+Passes+SAVE+America+Act%2C+Congressman+Aaron+Bean+Supports+Voter+Integrity+Measures.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  35. ↑ "Aaron Bean to host health care summit on prescription drug policy".Florida Politics.2026-02.https://floridapolitics.com/archives/778242-aaron-bean-to-host-health-care-summit-on-prescription-drug-policy/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  36. ↑ "Press Release: Congressman Aaron Bean Introduces HSA's For All Act to Expand Healthcare Access".Quiver Quantitative.https://www.quiverquant.com/news/Press+Release%3A+Congressman+Aaron+Bean+Introduces+HSA%E2%80%99s+For+All+Act+to+Expand+Healthcare+Access.Retrieved 2026-03-03.
  37. ↑ "Candidates". 'Main Street Republican PAC}'. Retrieved 2026-02-24.

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