ESCONDIDO -- City Council hopeful Dick Daniels has raised more money so far this election season than any of the other six candidates -- including the incumbent -- vying for one of two open seats, according to financial disclosure statements filed this week with the city clerk's office.

Daniels, a public relations specialist and familiar face in the city's business community, raised $17,365 through the period ending Sept. 30. That was nearly $2,000 ahead of incumbent Marie Waldron, who so far has raised $15,478 in the run-up to Nov. 7.

However, Waldron, who had money left over from last election season, has a total of $19,457 in her coffers.

In the mayoral race, incumbent Mayor Lori Holt Pfeiler has raised $22,256, nearly 50 percent more than her sole challenger, former Councilman Tom D'Agosta.

All candidates were required to file financial statements by 5:30 p.m. Thursday.

Other candidate filings showed: Darol Caster has raised $13,267 and spent $2,192; Olga Diaz has raised $11,519 and spent $7,151; Erik Richard has raised $6,578 and spent $2,548; Carmen Miranda has raised $2,655, all of which she has spent.

Candidate Elizabeth Gabrych did not file her statement before Thursday evening's deadline.

In the mayor's race, D'Agosta raised $15,065 and has spent $3,500.

Unlike their competitors, Daniels and Pfeiler relied entirely on contributions made by community members and local business interests. Other candidates padded their coffers with personal loans.

In the case of Daniels, his campaign received nearly 100 contributions, many from familiar names, including businessman and philanthropist Jack Raymond and Councilman Sam Abed.

"You think you have a lot of people who respect you and have friends, and the proof of that pudding comes in how they think you might serve on the council," Daniels, 64, said.

Many developers and individuals from companies that regularly do business with City Hall also contributed to his campaign, including Craig Clark, president of C.W. Clark Inc. which plans to build a $56.5 million Marriott hotel downtown. The city is contributing $16.5 million to the project.

Daniels attributed his appeal in the business community to his tenure in the Escondido Chamber of Commerce, where he served as chairman two years ago.

"They're very mainstream Escondido and indicative of the support I have," Daniels said.

Pfeiler's contribution list also reads like a who's who of Escondido, and includes checks from Jamie McCann, developer of the 186-acre Escondido Research and Technology Center, and Floyd Farley, chief executive officer of Graybill Medical Group.

"I've worked for a long time and tried to do a good job," said Pfeiler, who is seeking her third term as mayor and fifth on the council. "I feel good when people respond so enthusiastically."

Pfeiler said she still hopes to raise an additional $20,000 to $30,000 before Election Day, mostly from local community members.

Some other candidates did not see their campaign's bank accounts swell so much this summer.

Nearly all of Miranda's money came from a personal loan, with individual contributions totaling just $75.

But the 37-year-old teacher assistant said she is undaunted by her slow financial start.

"We already have the people who are going to be doing the (phone) calls and handing out fliers, so it really doesn't affect the way I'm going to run the campaign," said Miranda, adding that she has already received some contributions since Oct. 1.

Contact staff writer David Fried at (760) 740-5416 or dfried@nctimes.com.