Stacy Ritter, the District 3 incumbent, is high on Broward, citing its 5.4 percent millage rate, job creation and partnerships with the private sector. Ms. Ritter, 52, says that a new convention-center hotel is a priority. It’s a good one that, if realized, would spur employment, hordes of conventioneers and economic vitality for local businesses — to say nothing of the tax revenue.

Ms. Ritter faces business instructor Robert Sutton, 49, who wants small business owners to have a bigger seat at the table of economic power. He is concerned that Ms. Ritter is married to a lobbyist. She says her spouse lobbies only in Tallahassee.

Commissioner Ritter has shown a broader countywide concern regarding services — transit, libraries, etc. — that the county provides. For District 3, The Herald recommends STACY RITTER.

Tim Ryan beat out a former Broward County Commissioner and a current member of the Fort Lauderdale Commission, both with high name recognition, and now faces a write-in candidate in the race to represent District 7. Mr. Ryan, 56, is an attorney and former state legislator who served from 1998-2006. This experience, which included getting ethics-reform legislation passed, leaves him well-prepared for this seat, a position that puts him in closer proximity to constituents and their on-the-ground concerns.

Mr. Ryan says that the county can impose greater efficiencies and is a proponent of zero-based budgeting and of making the most of the county’s assets by taking a regional approach to projects that would enhance the quality of life in South Florida. For District 7, The Herald recommends TIM RYAN.

Commissioner Dale Holness not only has a clear vision for giving the Broward County economy a boost, he’s shown he can make things happen. He says that expanding tourism to Latin America and the Caribbean is a natural fit for a county with a growing seaport and growing populations from that region. He wants a county bed tax to build a convention center and hotel and is pushing for a gospel center to attract African-American tourists. He helped attract a cricket championship, which he says brought in 30,000 people, a $6 million impact. Mr. Holness, 55, is a Realtor and faces a write-in candidate.

Elected in 2010, he has earned another term. For District 9, The Herald recommends DALE V.C. HOLNESS.