In the Broward Sheriff's race, Scott Israel is still the Democratic fundraising leader but lags far behind the incumbent sheriff.

Tight fundraising battles by two state House candidates, including one who could become the state's first openly gay legislator, have set the stage for a close primary.

And $215,000 in loans and donations for one Republican challenger has obliterated the fundraising lead by the state Legislature's only Cuban-American Democrat.

Those were some of the story lines emerging from Friday's campaign finance reporting deadline, a month before the Aug. 26 primary.

Candidates with large war chests will be able to buy fliers, mailings and -- in some races -- TV and radio ads, while candidates with shallower pockets will have to rely more on door-knocking and word of mouth.

''If you don't have the resources, you're going to need an extraordinary grass-roots structure to be competitive,'' said Justin Sayfie, a former Jeb Bush spokesman.

In the Broward sheriff's race, Israel, a police chief on leave from North Bay Village, has remained in the lead in fundraising in the five-way Democratic primary. He has raised about $180,000 including a $20,000 loan.

But Richard Lemack, on leave from his job as Hollywood assistant city manager and a former assistant police chief, attracted the most donations this quarter and has the most cash on hand. He has raised about $148,000.

Israel, Lemack and Bruce Udolf, an attorney, all have between $100,000 and $120,000 left to spend.

Shahrukh Dhanji and Wiley Thompson are lagging behind.

Dhanji has loaned his campaign $120,000 but he's already paid some of it back.

But none of the Democrats have anywhere close to Sheriff Al Lamberti's $460,000.

Gov. Charlie Crist appointed Republican Lamberti, a BSO major, last year after Ken Jenne resigned amid corruption charges.

Despite Lamberti's incumbent advantage and war chest, Democrats still outnumber Republicans 2-1 in Broward.

And voters' enthusiasm for presidential candidate Barack Obama ''may well carry an unknown Democrat into the sheriff's office,'' said pollster Jim Kane.

In House District 92, Wilton Manors Mayor Scott Newton and gay activist Mark LaFontaine are in a competitive race to replace term-limited state Rep. Jack Seiler. Newton has raised about $69,000.

LaFontaine has raised about $71,000 and loaned his campaign $16,000.

''I can't ask people to contribute and stand behind me and with me unless I am willing to put the effort -- not just the footwork but money as well,'' said LaFontaine, who is hoping to become the first openly gay state legislator.

Newton, who has about twice as much left unspent, said he has strong support and didn't need a loan.

Former Deerfield Beach city commissioner Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed has raised about half as much her two opponents in the race for the northeast district that includes portions of Wilton Manors, Oakland Park, Pompano Beach.

In two other state races, challengers have put down large amounts of their own money to close or eliminate an incumbent's edge.

Jorge Luis Lopez, a Miami Republican challenging Democratic state Rep. Luis Garcia, of Miami Beach, loaned himself $100,000 for what is expected to be a competitive race in the eastern Miami-Dade district.

Lopez also raised about $115,000 in donations -- more than Garcia.

Garcia, the Legislature's only Cuban-American Democrat, has raised about $93,500.

''Make no mistake about it, I'm a target of the Republican party,'' he said.

In Broward, Robert E. Kellner, a Democrat trying to unseat state Rep. Evan Jenne, D-Dania Beach, loaned himself $66,000.

''There was no other way unless I went with my hand out to the lobbyists and the [political action committees],'' said Kellner, a political newcomer.

The loan still leaves Kellner more than $13,000 behind Jenne, who has raised about $18,400 since April.

In other races:

• County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion Jr. was far ahead of his challengers.

• In state Senate District 31, which includes southeastern Broward, School Board member and former state Rep. Eleanor Sobel widened her fundraising lead over former state Reps. Ken Gottlieb and Tim Ryan.

Sobel, who raised about $96,000 since April, now has more than $262,000 in monetary donations, compared to Gottlieb with $178,000 and Ryan with close to $163,000.

All three hope to replace term-limited state Sen. Steve Geller, D-Cooper City.

• In state Senate District 25, state Sen. Jeff Atwater raised more than $313,000 while state Democrats scrambled to find a replacement for Walter ''Skip'' Campbell, who dropped out of the race earlier this month. He will be replaced by Broward real estate agent and Democratic activist Linda Bird.

Atwater, a North Palm Beach Republican and incoming Senate president, now has more than $2.7 million in various contributions.

• In Broward's contested School Board races, District 9 incumbent Robin Bartleman and District 1 candidate Rick Saltrick both lead their opponents.

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