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Among the most-notable debate, moments came when Congressional District 4 candidate Erick Aguilar was asked about reports that he deceived people into contributing money to his campaign for the Northeast Florida seat. He dismissed the reporting as an establishment “smear” aimed at “MAGA” candidates like himself and “fake news.”
Aguilar’s response was one of the few that drew some jeers from a mid-day audience of around 400 people. State Sen. Aaron Bean, a Fernandina Beach Republican running against Aguilar for the congressional seat, said he was “shocked” Aguilar showed up for the debate.
According to Politico, Aguilar used WinRed, a popular Republican campaign platform, to solicit donations. The requests, distributed nationally, didn’t mention Aguilar or other candidates in the congressional race, instead suggesting that the money would go to DeSantis, former President Donald Trump or U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan, R-Ohio, Politico reported.
Bean said Aguilar was blaming “everybody but himself” and should be viewed as an “identity thief who stole from seniors.”