Florida Senate 4th District

Florida's 4th Senate District includes Nassau County and part of Duval County.

Incumbent Republican Aaron Beach faces Democrat Billee Bussard and Libertarian Joanna Liberty Tavares in the November general election.

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Republican


Aaron Bean (incumbent), Fernandina Beach

Age: 51

Candidate's family: Married, three sons

Occupation: Relationship development manager for UF Health Jacksonville

Education: Finance Degree, Jacksonville University

Political experience: Former Mayor/Commissioner-Fernandina Beach, Served 8 Years in the Florida House of Representatives and have served 6 years in the Florida Senate

Summarize your political platform in 10 words or less. 

Keeping north Florida a great place to live, work & play

What do you see as the top three issues in this race? 

1. Education - I have worked for options and choices for every child in Florida.
2. Jobs - Keeping Florida a place where businesses move to, start from and expand
3. Healthcare - Access and affordability, including Mental Health

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot? 

Our office is dedicated to constituent and customer service. We have built relationships with many state agencies to help solve problems for residents of northeast Florida.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

Bean was a fighter for northeast Florida

Website: aaronbean.com
Social media: Facebook / Twitter

Democratic


Billee Bussard , Jacksonville

Age: 73 as of August 18, 2018

Candidate's family: Widow, 2 daughters, 1 stepdaughter, 1 stepson 

Occupation: retired journalist, business owner

Education: Studied political science at Jacksonville University and University of North Florida

Political experience: Politically active since 2003 with the Democratic Party. Am former president of the Beaches Democratic Club and was Duval County Democratic Executive Committee Communications Director from 2006 to 2012; past campaign committee chair for the DCDEC; served as an elected precinct committee person for many years until my recent move. Now am the appointed precinct committee person for my voting district. Former editor of Democratic Party newsletters. Served on advisory committees for many candidates including two congressional campaigns and for Mayor of Jacksonville

Summarize your political platform in 10 words or less. 

I am the Watchdog.the Florida Senate needs.

What do you see as the top three issues in this race? 

Common Sense Gun Safety Law
Education Funding & Safety
Restoring Beach Access

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot? 

I bring a breadth of knowledge and insight from my unique set of life experiences both as a business owner and as a journalist covering business, education, health care and politics. Because I have made a study of money in politics, I know where to look for conflicts of interest and will hold fellow lawmakers accountable. I am able to put the people's interests first because I am not part of a network of incumbents legislators who are encumbered by huge campaign donations from special interests. Because I am a retiree with grown children, I can devote full time and attention to making sure government works for the people. 

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

Keeping lawmakers honest and making government more transparent.

Website: Billee4FLSenate4.com
Social media: Facebook / Twitter

Libertarian


Joanna Liberty Tavares , Jacksonville

Age: 32

Candidate's family: married with 2 children

Occupation: Entrepreneur

Education: Master Of Social Work, University of Southern California, 2014

Political experience: Veteran/Military Advocate, Cannabis Advocate, Firearms Advocate

Summarize your political platform in 10 words or less. 

Empower the people and their individual liberty.

What do you see as the top three issues in this race? 

Cannabis
Firearms
Environment

How can you help voters in a way that others running for this office cannot? 

As an Operation Enduring Freedom Veteran, I have a non-political background of fighting for the freedoms of the American People and our way of life. I will continue to represent and advocate for the people, not corporations.

What would you hope to be remembered for accomplishing after serving in this office?

I want to be remembered for being an advocate for the people and an advocate for individual liberties. I want to be remembered for showing others that balance can be achieved through the Libertarian Party, with Liberty as our primary objective, and that the people's voice and vote is truly being heard.

Website: 

Social Media: Facebook