POWAY -- Incumbent Councilwoman Betty Rexford tops the list for both fundraising and spending so far in this year's mayoral and council races, financial disclosure statements filed this week show.

The same documents reveal that four of the seven candidates are digging into their own pockets to finance the bulk of their campaigns so far, as opposed to seeking donations.

State law requires any political candidate who receives or spends $1,000 or more to file the documents so voters can see where each campaign gets its money and how the funds are used.

Poway candidates' first set of statements were due at the city clerk's office by 5 p.m. Thursday. They cover the period of Jan. 1 through Sept. 30.

The mayoral race has just two candidates this year: challenger Ed Carboneau and incumbent Mickey Cafagna.

Copies of their disclosure statements obtained by the North County Times reveal that Cafagna has received $2,000 for his campaign so far, with the entire amount coming from a personal loan he made to himself. He reported expenditures totaling $1,324, with all but $50 of that going for campaign signs, according to his statement.

Carboneau reported starting his campaign with $876. His statement said he received no money, but spent $417.

Interviewed by phone Friday afternoon, Carboneau said all his campaign money is his own and that the expenditures he reported were for banners that now blanket his car.

He said he plans to rely on the media to get his message out, rather than trying to raise money for political signs and other campaign materials.

"In my opinion, putting signs out is a waste of money because somebody's going to steal them or knock them over or whatever," Carboneau said.

Rexford is vying against incumbent Councilman Don Higginson and challengers David Knopp, Connie Messina and Joe St. Lucas for the two regular council seats up for election this year.

Copies of their disclosure statements show that Rexford, who is campaigning for her fourth term, has received $2,415 worth of donations and spent $1,454, so far. Contributors to her campaign include 19 individuals who gave her $100 each and one person who donated $15. She has spent the money on a guide for voters, signs and assorted other costs.

St. Lucas reported the receipt of contributions totaling $2,600, which put him above Rexford in that category. Only $100 of St. Lucas' total contributions came from a donation, however; the rest was a personal loan he made to his campaign.

His statement listed just $74 of expenditures. St. Lucas said Friday, however, that the amount will go up "quite a bit" shortly.

"That's because the (campaign) signs that I ordered are coming in next week," he said. "I plan to do some more spending, but I'm not sure how much additional fundraising."

Knopp's reported contributions totaled $2,000, with all the money coming from his own funds. His statement listed $394 in expenditures, with the money identified as going to campaign materials.

Messina reported $1,784 in contributions, with the funds coming from individual donors who gave her $10 to $100 each. Her disclosure statement shows she spent $1,440 on campaign-related materials, rentals and phone service, so far.

Higginson listed $1,600 in campaign donations, with the money coming from 17 different individuals contributing $25 to $100 each. His statement also reported an expenditure of $680, with most of the money paying for campaign signs.

The candidates' next financial disclosure statements must be filed with the city clerk by 5 p.m. Oct. 26.

Contact staff writer Andrea Moss at (760) 739-6654 or amoss@nctimes.com.