(The Center Square) – Incumbent U.S. Rep Aaron Bean, R-Fla., is looking to keep his seat in the 4th Congressional District this November, facing off in a rematch against an underfunded Democrat rival.
If he is successful, Bean will serve a second term representing his northeastern Florida district, which encompasses Clay and Nassau counties, along with Duval County east of the St. Johns River, which includes downtown Jacksonville.
According to the Federal Election Commission, Bean has raised $1.3 million in campaign funds, eclipsing his Democratic opponent LaShonda “LJ” Holloway who has raised $15,174.
Bean defeated Holloway with more than 60% of the vote in 2022. He received 165,696 votes (60.5%) vs. 108,402 for his Democratic challenger (39.5%)
Bean has had a long political career, elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2000, serving two terms. Bean was elected to the Florida Senate in 2012, where he served for 10 years, according to his official website.
In late July, Bean supported a resolution condemning the Biden administration and Vice President Kamala Harris for their management of the migrant crisis at the southern border and also introduced a bill to expose Medicare fraud.
Both Bean and his Democratic opponent were unchallenged during the District’s primary elections. According to her website, Holloway has worked on Capitol Hill, served as a Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Fellow and worked for the U.S. Environmental Agency in Washington, D.C.
Holloway is an advocate for abortion rights and gun control, stating on her official website she is “not afraid to take on the big fights and have hard conversions,” and that lawmakers must be committed to expanding healthcare and increasing access.
“Access to quality health care is a basic human right that should not be determined by one’s income. As lawmakers, we must be committed to expanding health care coverage, promoting preventative care initiatives and increasing access to mental health services to ensure that every individual receives the care they need to thrive. Additionally, supporting policies that ensure universal access to reproductive healthcare, including essential services such as birth control, prenatal care and safe, legal abortion is imperative,” Holloway’s website states.