Two well-financed Broward County commissioners will try to fend off several spirited challenges in the Aug. 26 primary.

Commissioners John E. Rodstrom Jr. and Josephus Eggelletion Jr. each face three opponents. The winner then will likely face a smooth path to office against write-in candidates Nov. 4.

The crowded field could provide an advantage for the incumbents: voters unhappy with Rodstrom and Eggelletion could split their votes among multiple candidates.

A split anti-incumbent vote helped Rodstrom win a close three-way race four years ago with only 40 percent of the vote. And this year two of his challengers -- Fort Lauderdale City Commissioner Carlton B. Moore; and Robert McKinzie, who lost a close race to Rodstrom in 2004 -- could split the black vote. Another challenger, Davie Councilman Bryan Caletka, has secured multiple union endorsements.

County commissioners -- who earn about $92,000 plus some $32,000 in other benefits -- oversee a budget of more than $3 billion and make decisions about the tax rate, parks, libraries, social services, environmental programs and the airport.

DISTRICT 7

Rodstrom, who has held the seat since 1992, has found himself on the losing side of some key commission votes -- including opposing airport runway expansion which he fears will cost the airlines too much money.

''We run the risk of losing a number of discount airlines that have made flying so inexpensive out of the airport,'' he said.

Moore is an advocate of airport expansion because he says it brings in tourists.

Rodstrom's foes say he doesn't spend enough time in the district, which he denies.

Moore, who lost a previous bid for the county commission in 2000, was elected to the Fort Lauderdale City Commission in 1988. He has resigned that position effective Nov. 4.

Moore is viewed by his supporters as an outspoken advocate who looks out for blighted neighborhoods and regularly challenges Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle.

Moore's drivers license has been suspended four times and he failed to pay property taxes or income taxes at times between 1997 and 2001. Moore has blamed some traffic stops on racial profiling and said he ultimately paid his taxes. ''All of that is behind me,'' he said.

Caletka, a science teacher at Western High School, has developed a reputation as a maverick since winning a Davie town council seat in 2006. He led the charge to fire town attorney Monroe Kiar.

During his town council race Caletka wrote on his website that he was a city commissioner in Plano, Texas. He had lost a bid for council but was a member of an appointed board on which he said members were called commissioners.

Caletka criticizes Rodstrom for advocating against requiring large contractors to pay a living wage.

''That is one of the fundamentals of Democratic ideology,'' Caletka said.

Rodstrom, an outspoken commissioner who switched from Republican to Democrat in 1990, says the county shouldn't dictate wages.

McKinzie, brother of ousted Supervisor of Elections Miriam Oliphant, owns a contracting firm. He advocates cutting waste but has offered few specifics.

''I am running on change,'' said McKinzie, who lags in fundraising. ``We've had enough of business as usual.''

Rodstrom has raised almost $200,000 as of Aug. 1, with donations from companies with business interests in the county including taxi magnate Jesse Gaddis.

Moore has raised about $69,000, including contributions from The Related Group, a developer hoping to build a condo tower by the historic Stranahan House.

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