Mark Ober is hosting a campaign fundraiser at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City March 22nd.
Ober is facing an opponent for the first time since 2008 when he won the primary handily and coasted to victory unopposed in the General election. While Ober has the advantage as a more than 15 year veteran top prosecutor, his opponent, Andrew Warren, may be able to give Ober a run for his money.
Democrats are anxious to take the key political seat that’s been held by Ober, a Republican, since he was first elected in 2000.
Since his lackluster opposition in 2008, Ober has been elected unopposed twice.
Warren’s focus has historically been on white-collar crime. One of his most high-profile cases was against. R. Allen Stanford who was convicted in 2012 for ties to a $7 billion Ponzi scheme.
Democrats are hopeful Warren will do well. The county weighs in favor of Democrats and tends to do so even more so in a presidential election year.
As of public record, Ober has already brought in nearly three times as much in fundraising than Warren. Ober has raised just under $140,000 while Warren has earned $52,000 in contributions. Ober’s numbers represent February totals while Warren’s have not yet been filed. According to Warren’s campaign the gap is closing. He’s raised more than $80,000 as of the end of February. That means Warren has out-raised Ober about 80 to 20 over the past two months.
The maximum contribution for political candidates by an individual or business is $1,000. The two candidates will face each other at the polls in November.
The re-election event starts at 5:30 p.m. and runs through 7:30 p.m..
