New London - City Councilor Michael Buscetto III continues to outpace his opponents in fundraising efforts in the race for mayor.

Buscetto, a Democrat, added just over $9,000 to his coffers, bringing his total to $38,525 since he announced his candidacy earlier this year.

Fellow Democrat Daryl Finizio raised $2,575 this reporting period, which covers April 10 to July 10, bringing his total to $11,383.

Republican Rob Pero brought in $4,310 in individual donations, raising his total to $10,422.

Buscetto's donations included $1,000 from the Sheet Metal Workers, Local Union 40, in Rocky Hill, and $7,350 from 41 individual donors, half of whom live in New London.

Some of the larger donations to the "Mike For New London" campaign included $700 from Elizabeth Occhionero of Waterford; $500 from Jay Levin of New London, a lobbyist; and $500 each from Eric Filardi of Mystic, Lorraine Gatti of New York City and Kurt Hayes of East Lyme.

Forty-four individuals donated this period to "Pero for Mayor," including $200 from his father, Anthony Pero, and $500 from George Sprecace, father of City Councilor Adam Sprecace.

All but four of Pero's donations came from individuals living in New London, who for the most part gave $100 or less. Larger donations included two $500 checks from Matthew Sharp and John Kelsey, real estate investors at Hamilton Point Investment, and $200 from Christopher Vandehoef, a lobbyist with the TCORS Capital Group.

Donations to the "Finizio for Mayor" campaign included checks from two New London residents totaling $200. A couple of $1,000 donations included one from Clay Johnson of Washington, D.C., and the other from Robert Finizio of Boca Raton, Fla.

Lori Hopkins-Cavanagh and Martin Olsen, who is the ceremonial mayor, filed short forms because they have not raised more than $1,000. Both are running as petitioning candidates.

Two other candidates, Kathleen Mitchell and City Councilor Michael Passero, have only filed exploratory papers in City Hall and are not officially registered as candidates with the state Elections Enforcement Commission.

The next filing deadline is Oct. 10.

k.edgecomb@theday.com