As the final month of the campaign season approaches, Palo Alto’s most pro-growth City Council candidates have a solid lead in fundraising, newly released disclosures show.

George Luone of four members of the Planning and Transportation Commission seeking a council seat, is in pole position in terms of money raised, with $51,145 total contribution, according to campaign finance documents. His list of donors includes some of Palo Alto’s leading housing advocates, including economist Steve Levy, who gave $2,000, Palo Alto Forward board member Scott O’Neill, who gave $300, and former City Councilwoman Gail Price, who gave $100.

Nicole Chiu-Wang, a candidate in the school board race, contributed $1,100 to Lu’s campaign, while Bruce Arthur, a member of the Palo Alto Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, received $1,000.

Lu, who has been endorsed by the Santa Clara County Democratic Party, also received $300 from the Silicon Valley Young Democrats.

Katie Causeywho serves on the city’s Human Relations Commission, reported $37,515 in contributions. Her top donors include East Palo Alto City Councilman and Mayor Antonio Lopez, who gave $2,266 to her campaign, and Susan Kulawik, a scientist at the Bay Area Environmental Research Institute, who contributed $3,000.

Causey also received support from housing advocates Owen Byrd, who sits on the board of Palo Alto Forward, former Redwood City Mayor Giselle Hale, who gave $361, and former Councilman Cory Wolbach, who gave $100. Lisa Forssell, a former member of the Utilities Advisory Commission who ran for council two years ago, contributed $500 to Causey’s campaign.

Cari Templetona Democratic activist and Palo Alto planning commissioner, reported $38,487 in contributions, which includes a $20,000 loan she made to her own campaign. Her campaign has also been bolstered by housing advocates, with Alta Housing Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Klein and Palo Alto Forward board member Owen Byrd each contributing $500 and architect Elaine Uang, a co-founder of Palo Alto Forward, contributing $250.

Former council members Alison Cormack gave $500 to Templeton’s campaign, while former mayors Larry Klein and Liz Kniss gave $500 and $100, respectively. Current council member Vicki Veenker is supporting her with a $250 check.

Templeton also received a slew of contributions from elected leaders in surrounding cities, including the majority of the Mountain View City Council. Mountain View Mayor Pat Showalter gave $250, while council members Lucas Ramirez, Emily Ramos and Ellen Kamei each gave $100. Templeton, who worked on Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian’s campaign for Congress, received $250 from Simitian and another $250 from Sally Lieber, a former Mountain View councilwoman who now sits on the State Board of Equalization.

East Palo Alto Mayor Lisa Gauthier and San Mateo Mayor Lisa Nash each contributed $100 to Templeton, according to campaign finance records.

Anne Cribbsa member of the Parks and Recreation Commission advocating for new recreation facilities such as a new city gym and a remodeled Cubberley Community Center, reported $25,234 total contributions received, which includes a $1,000 loan she made to her own campaign.

Cribbs, a former Olympic swimmer, received $5,000 from retired bank executive and community volunteer Roger Smith, $1,000 from former Mayor Larry Klein and $1,000 from Steve Levy, an economist and housing advocate. She also received $1,000 contributions from Ryan McCauley, division chief at the California Energy Commission and her former colleague on the Parks and Recreation Commission, Jonathan Goldman, managing partner at Premier Properties, former Palo Alto Police Chief Dennis Burns and Beverly Brockway, a real estate agent.

Of the candidates who lean toward the slow-growth, or “residential,” side of the political spectrum, Doria Summa led the way with $27,544 raised cash, which includes a $5,000 loan for her own campaign. Summa, a longtime land-use watchdog who now serves on the Planning and Transportation Commission, received contributions from many housing stalwarts.

These include a $1,000 payment from Joe Hirsch and $400 from teacher Terry Holzemer, both of whom serve on the executive committee of the group Palo Altans for Sensible Zoning. Summa also received $999 from former Mayor Eric Filseth and $100 from former Planning Commissioner Arthur Keller. Her Planning Commissioners Allen Akin and Chairwoman Bryna Chang contributed $998 and $500, respectively.

Council member Pat Burtwho is seeking his fourth full term, reported $19,552 in contributions from a list of donors that includes former mayors, community activists and neighborhood leaders. Retired bank executive and philanthropist Roger Smith contributed $1,000 to Burt’s campaign. Former Mayor Peter Drekmeier and Santa Clara Councilman Sudhanshu Jain each contributed $500. Burt’s council colleague Vicki Veenker gave $250.

Burt, a political moderate who sits on the boards of the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority and Caltrain, also received contributions from many bicycle advocates, including Menlo Park resident Ken Kershner ($250), and Palo Alto residents Penny Ellson ($250), Kathy Durham ( $100) and Cedric Pitot de la Beaujardiere ($100).

Keith Reckdahl, vice chairman of the Planning and Transport Commission, reported $19,363 total contribution, which includes a $5,000 loan he made to his campaign. His contributors include Todd Collins, who sits on the Palo Alto Unified School Board and gave $250, and Allen Akin, one of only three Planning Commission members not running for council this year. Akin gave $999 to Reckdahl’s campaign, while Planning Commission Chairwoman Bryna Chang gave $396.

The lion’s share of Reckdahl’s support came from local residents, including neighborhood activists and community volunteers. Rebecca Sanders, moderator of the Ventura Residents Association, gave $250, while architect David Hirsch contributed $200. Pat Burt and his wife Sally Bemus each gave $250. He also received support from donors who generally back housing candidates, including city resident Gabrielle Layton, who contributed $900, teacher Terry Holzemer, who gave $200, and College Terrace residents Fred and Ann Balin, who each gave $250.

Mayor Greer stonemeanwhile, reported $14,979 in contributions, which included $1,000 from resident Darlene Yaplee, $900 from frequent campaign donor Gabrielle Layton, $500 from Joe Hirsch of Palo Altans for Sensible Zoning and $500 from Planning Commission member Allen Akin.

Stone also received contributions from various former mayors, including Greg Scharff, who gave $500, Karen Holman, who gave $350, Peter Drekmeier, who gave $200, and Eric Filseth, who gave $100.

Henry Etzkowitzan innovation researcher, has not filed any campaign disclosures as of Thursday night.

The nine candidates are competing for four seats. Two of them are currently filled by Burt and Stone. The other two will leave at the end of the year when Lydia Kou and Greg Tanaka leave.

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