A.G. Gancarski
State Sen. Aaron Bean faces both a primary challenge and, if he wins, a general election battle in Senate District 4. However, the Fernandina Beach Republican has advantages his challengers don’t, such as key endorsements.
The latest, via the Florida Medical Association PAC, a group of physicians, was rolled out Tuesday morning.
Per media release from the Bean Team, FMA PAC President Dr. Mike Patete asserted that “Bean has worked tirelessly for the constituents of his district on many important issues including health care. Serving on various health care committees during his time in the Senate and House, the FMA has worked closely with Senator Bean and we look forward to continuing our work to help make Florida the best state to practice medicine.”
Among Bean’s priorities: telemedicine legislation. His bill passed the Senate without a no vote in 2018, but died without a hearing on the House side.
Bean is “honored to receive the endorsement from such a premier professional organization for physician leadership, patient care and education in Florida.”
“I look forward to the opportunity to work with the FMA members and leadership, to continue to serve my community and constituents, and know together we can play a vital role in shaping effective and innovative health policy in Florida,” Bean added.
The FMA imprimatur will boost Bean, an established incumbent, against a field full of less established challengers.
Bean has roughly $160,000 on hand, between hard money and his political committee.
Bean’s primary opponent Carlos Slay, backed by Bean’s political rival, former Rep. Janet Adkins, has not raised any money, and paid his filing fee via a personal loan.
The winner of the Bean/Slay clash will face two general election opponents, Democrat Billie Bussard and Libertarian Joanna Tavares.
Bussard has $4,500 on hand, having raised money between June 5 and June 22.
Tavares has less than $40 on hand after having paid her filing fee.
