Candidate ties involving Florida congressional hopeful Aaron Baker are drawing renewed scrutiny after evidence surfaced showing a close, years-long relationship with a registered sex offender—contradicting Baker’s public claims that the man was only a former coworker.
Baker previously described Matthew Lucas as a “co-worker from 3 years ago” and said he was unaware of Lucas’s 2016 guilty plea to felony sexual abuse of a 13-year-old boy. A Washington Free Beacon review, however, shows Baker and Lucas repeatedly socialized together, celebrated birthdays and holidays, and spent time with each other’s families.
Court records state the victim told police that “he and suspect Lucas performed various sexual acts on each other at the suspect’s grandparent’s house.” Lucas pleaded guilty to one felony count of sexual abuse of a minor, received a suspended 20-year sentence, and remains a registered sex offender in Maryland.
Despite Baker’s attempts to downplay the relationship, Lucas appeared in the background of a campaign video posted in May 2025 and donated to Baker’s campaign in August 2025. Baker also posted photos and videos with Lucas throughout 2023 and 2024, including at his own birthday party. In one repost, Baker shared an image with Lucas while wearing a Baltimore Orioles jersey.
Baker told supporters on X that Lucas “has never been in my home,” later clarifying he meant “at my house in Florida,” even though video shows Lucas at a Maryland property tied to Baker’s family. When confronted with the evidence, Baker acknowledged Lucas was a “close personal friend.”
The revelations add to broader concerns about Baker’s background, including ties to his father, Edwin Blackwelder, a convicted murderer and drug trafficker who owns Baker’s home and has conducted business with his campaign.
Baker dismissed criticism as attacks from “sweaty RINOs,” writing, “WHAT DO YOU HAVE ON ME? NOT A [EXPLETIVE] THING.” As questionable ties continue to surface, the controversy threatens to overshadow his challenge to Rep. Randy Fine.
