With the Nov. 3 election nearing, candidates running for City Council seats across San Mateo County are starting to separate themselves in the race for donations.

Candidates by late Thursday filed updated campaign finances forms that outline individual contributions and expenses from Sept. 20 to Oct. 17, plus 2009 totals. Typically, the candidates spent donations on campaign materials such as lawn signs and mailings.

The following is a city-by-city rundown, in alphabetical order, of the movers and shakers in each contested race:

BELMONT

The money race in Belmont is finally starting to heat up — mostly because of the candidates' own money.

The five candidates gunning for three spots received most of their cash in the last month. Former Councilman Dave Warden leads the pack with $12,412 in contributions and $8,330 in expenditures, although he gave himself $9,000. Former Councilman Phil Matthewson also gave $125.

Next, Councilwoman Coralin Feierbach garnered $6,184 in gifts, including $100 from Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, and $150 from Mozilla Corp. Chairman Mitchell Baker. She spent $3,605 this year.

The other incumbent, Warren Lieberman, raised $3,035, including a $1,500 self-loan, and doled out $1,551.

Microsoft sales executive Mike McGuinness gave himself his entire contribution fund of $1,900 and spent $1,118, while Beli Deli owner Gin Nikoloff raised

BURLINGAME

Reflecting the high-stakes nature of Burlingame politics, the four candidates aspiring for three City Council spots are throwing around some serious cash.

Mayor Ann Keighran's $27,619 war chest is the largest in the field, having received $100 from Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, $200 from Councilman Jerry Deal and $800 from Burlingame auto dealership owner Mike Harvey. She spent $16,669.

Planning Commissioner Michael Brownrigg, the only non-incumbent, is second in 2009 with $19,495 in donations, including Councilwoman Terry Nagel ($100) and state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco ($500). He also gave himself $1,000 and doled out $11,057.

Five-term Councilwoman Rosalie O'Mahony is next with $18,902 in contributions and had $18,878 worth of expenses. Her benefactors include Deal ($200) and the San Mateo County Association of Realtors ($750).

Councilwoman Cathy Baylock was close behind with $17,210 raised, including $5,000 from herself, $250 from Yee and $750 from the California Political Action Committee. She spent $20,145, more than any other candidate.

FOSTER CITY

In Foster City, challenger Charlie Bronitsky is leading the pack, having raised a total of $8,284, including $200 from prominent attorney and Democratic Party insider Joe Cotchett and several hundred more from lawyers in his firm.

Five candidates are vying for two seats. Incumbent Pam Frisella has raised $6,845. Among her contributors are Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, and San Mateo County Supervisor Carole Groom, each of whom gave $100.

Herb Perez, owner of Gold Medal Martial Arts studio on Edgewater Boulevard, has raised $3,125, and he has also received a $2,717 loan from his wife.

Business executive Wing Yu has brought in $2,893, which includes $1,800 of his own money.

Community activist Linda Haskin has indicated in campaign filings that she will not raise more than $1,000.

MILLBRAE

Former Councilwoman Nadia Holober, one of three candidates battling for two City Council spots, is speeding away in the race for cash.

Holober has put together $16,565 in contributions, including $100 from state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, and $750 from the California Real Estate Political Action Committee.

The lone incumbent, Gina Papan, raised $7,469 and spent $3,248. She got cash from the local plumbers and steamfitters union ($2,000), the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council ($500) and the county firefighters' union ($1,000).

Fire battalion chief Lorrie Kalos-Gunn, meanwhile, has loaned herself $2,500, and has spent $3,741 of her $5,279 war chest.

REDWOOD CITY

Planning Commissioner Jeff Gee leads the pack of five council hopefuls with $32,071 raised, including a $3,384 loan to himself. His contributors include Undersheriff Carlos Bolanos, state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, and the Northern California Carpenters Regional Council.

Close behind is John Seybert, also a planning commissioner, who has raised $29,127 since Jan. 1, all in individual cash contributions from a variety of donors, including former City Manager Ed Everett and current Councilwoman Diane Howard.

Next is Planning Commissioner Janet Borgens with $20,671, which includes donations from the San Mateo County Association of Realtors and former Sheriff Don Horsley.

Cherlene Wright, a member of the city's housing committee, has raised $12,644 raised this year, with financial support from the San Mateo Credit Union and developer Kirk McGowan, among others.

Incumbent Jeff Ira, who is running to defend his seat on the council, had raised $12,896 as of Sept. 19, but documents showing his fundraising through mid-October were not available Friday.

SAN BRUNO

In the two-person race for San Bruno mayor, only candidate Jim Ruane filed campaign expense forms.

Ruane, a councilman, compiled $7,049 in donations and shelled out $5,345. He received $1,000 from the Recology trash company, $100 from former Burlingame councilman Joe Galligan and $3,000 from the local plumbers and steamfitters union.

His challenger, businessman Miguel Araujo, did not file any expense forms.

SAN MATEO

Alameda County Deputy District Attorney David Lim is leaving his competition in the dust when it comes to raising money.

Lim has garnered $23,277 and spent $21,777 so far this year, about twice as much as any other challenger. He received $250 from state Sen. Leland Yee, D-San Francisco, and cash from employees of his district attorney's office.

Of the other four candidates, who are vying for three seats, retired police Lt. Robert Ross raised $12,553 in 2009, including a $7,000 loan to himself, and spent $11,340. He also received a $250 gift from the San Mateo County Association of Realtors.

Appointed Councilman Fred Hansson totaled $10,442 in contributions, including a $2,542 from himself, $100 from Councilman Jack Matthews, $100 from Assemblyman Jerry Hill, D-San Mateo, and $500 from the Bohannon Development Co. He paid out $11,613 this year.

Mayor Brandt Grotte soaked up $9,746 in contributions, including $250 from former city manager Arne Croce, and exhausted $6,465 this year.

Former planning commissioner Bertha Sanchez received $9,365, including $1,500 from herself and several contributions from her former hospital, Mills-Peninsula Health Services, and spent $6,991.

S. SAN FRANCISCO

In the South San Francisco City Council race, incumbent Pedro Gonzalez leads the three other candidates in fundraising with about $18,600.

Councilman Mark Addiego has raised some $16,800.

Mayor Karyl Matsumoto has received about $14,400.

Council contender Kamala Silva Wolfe has raised slightly more than $5,400.

Staff writers Aaron Kinney, Neil Gonzales and Shaun Bishop contributed to this story.