While some were reeling, and others gloating, over the results of last Novembers general election, a little piece of history-making seems to have slipped underneath most observers radar: Floridas got two brothers-in-law serving simultaneously in the state Senate.
And theyre both freshmen Republicans: Aaron Bean of Fernandina Beach and Rob Bradley of Orange Park.
Wedidn'tscour 168 years worth of records, but we did reach out to the Office of the Senate Secretary, whose researchers reported back to us that, to their knowledge, this occurrence is without precedent in Florida.
We certainlydidn'tset out to make history, Bradley tells Sunshine State News. It really happened in a way that is not as orchestrated as it would appear.
Bean, who is married to Bradleys older sister, Abby, served in the Florida House from 2000-2008, and left after being term-limited. His exit from the House coincided with Bradleys completion of a two-year term of service on the Clay County Commission. Bean soon decided he would run for Senate in 2012, and suggested Bradley do so as well.
Ive always had a passion for public service, but Aaron certainly played a part in convincing me to run [for the Senate], Bradley continues. The fact that he was running for Senate as well certainly made my decision easier.
His older brother-in-law puts it slightly less modestly.
I take full credit for talking him into running, Bean says, his pride in and esteem for Bradley evident throughout the interview. When I talked him into it, the road for me looked very easy and I was preparing him for a very long, hard, drawn-out battle, not only the primary for the generals. Lo and behold, what a difference two months makes. All of a sudden, I had two huge battles and he had a cakewalk: he only had a 21-year-old student Democrat to run against.
Its kind of funny: the speech I gave him about Ill help you raise money, Ill help you knock on doors, was the same speech he ended up giving me! We had a good laugh over that.
Both ended up winning their races handily, Bean with 62 percent of the vote and Bradley with 58 percent.
Bean met Abby in 1987 and the two started dating in 1988, while Bradley was still in high school. They were married four years later, and are raising three kids.
They were on thecheerleadingsquad at Jacksonville University, Bradley tells the News. They were partners as cheerleaders.
You read that right: Sen. Bean is a former cheerleader.
He tries to act like he played sports in college and talks about the fact that he was an athlete back in the day, but lets be clear: he was a cheerleader in college, Bradley continues, trying his best to contain a friendly chuckle. I dont want to get into trouble with all the cheerleaders of the world; as cheerleading has evolved, it certainly has become a more athletic sport, but back then it was very rah-rah, lets just say that.
And how did he Bradley feel about his older sister dating a cheerleader?
In all seriousness, Aaron is what-you-see-is-what-you-get. Hes a great guy, and hes been a wonderful husband to my sister, and a great father to my nephews. I cant say enough about Aaron as a man.
The two brothers-in-law are both staunchly conservative Republicans, and they havent yet had any disagreements on legislation that's come before them, though both told the News they expect their subtle differences will come into sharper relief the longer they both serve.
Im sure theres going to come a time when we disagree on something, and that is going to be a fun day to debate, and a challenging day at that, Bean predicts.
Im sure those differences will develop over time, Bradley agrees. I'vemade it clear, and he has too, that were not a package deal. Were each independent thinkers and there will be times when we dont see eye to eye.
Asked what he thought his younger brother-in-laws greatest strength was as a legislator, Bean said it was undoubtedly his commitment to constituent services.
He is really sensitive to the needs of his constituents, he really cares, Bean says of Bradley. He comes in early, he stays late. Hes a hard worker. He takes his job extremely seriously. He over prepares. I guess thats the lawyer in him.
Asked the same question about Bean, Bradley is more succinct: His enthusiasm and positive energy.
Naturally, the two see each other frequently at family gatherings, and their favorite discussion is, unsurprisingly, politics. How do the wives and kids take to them discussing work over the dinner table?
Theyre the ones that bring it up! Bean says. We cant go anywhere without talking about it. Were always looking with ways to improve Floridas status quo.
Dinner table discussions are not all-work-and-no-play, however. When the familyisn'ttalking law or politics, theyre conversing about their next-favorite topic: sports, especially football.
And cheerleading?
No, no, no; I cant remember the last time that came up, Bradley tells the News. Aarons probably going to kill me for having revealed that factoid about his life!
Reach Eric Giunta at egiunta@sunshinestatenews.com or (954) 235-9116.
