Commissioner Candiate Mark Bogen
Bogen is the man to beat. He has spent little and has shown he can raise real money outside the downtown crowd.
(PRWEB) December 20, 2013
Bogen, a condominium lawyer and a newcomer to politics, raised over $30,000 in his first month of campaigning. Funds were provided by family, friends and even maybe clients. Six individuals named “Bogen” gave $1,000 apiece.
He seems to be saving up for the big race with most of this money still in the bank. Bogen only spent $2,654 of the $141,000 at his disposal.
“Bogen is the man to beat. He has spent little and has shown he can raise real money outside the downtown crowd,” one veteran political observer noted. “In the end he has ended speculation all he can do is self fund which makes him the clear front runner.”
Bogen’s largest opponent Lisa Aronson, a Broward political insider for decades, raised a modest $5,530 since beginning her fundraising. Aronson, a Coconut Creek commissioner, also put in her own $1,000. Her biggest contributor is local car dealer Alfred Hendrickson and his Coconut Creek Toyota store with $1,500. She also got $1,000 from Greespoon Marder, a law/lobbying firm where Democratic pols Steve and Joe Geller hang their hats. Also $500 from lobbyist Bernie Friedman.
A third candidate has also entered the race. Former Fort Lauderdale Commissioner Charlotte Rodstrom, has decided to campaign as well after the close of the November reporting period.
The three-way race between Democrats for the District 2 seat, now held by term-limited Kristin Jacobs, promises to bring out the best political consultants. Long-time Broward consultant Barbara Miller along with her associate Amy Rose will be handling Bogen’s campaign.
Running Aronson's race is Robin Rorapaugh, a former protege of U. S. Rep. Peter Deutsch, who happened to be the senior advisor in the 2008 Obama campaign in Florida
Mike Ahearn will consult with Charlotte Rodstrom on her campaign. Ahearn, a lawyer who is political advisor to Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jack Seile, has also worked on numerous local races in South Florida