Sofia Freer and Deborah Ruddock are leading the donor race among candidates for the Half Moon Bay City Council. The two politically aligned council hopefuls have each received more than $15,000 in contributions, according to public campaign reports.

Freer and Ruddock share a near-identical list of donors. Among the donors is a political action committee run by state Sen. Leland Yee that gave money to both candidates. Steve Blank, a voting member of the California Coastal Commission also made $1,000 donations to Freer, Ruddock and Dan Handler, the third candidate on their political slate. 

The strong fundraising momentum of both candidates is still dwarfed by the campaign war chest of Councilwoman Naomi Patridge, the lone incumbent up for re-election. Patridge has raised $12,000 for her campaign, but she adds that to more than $10,000 in spillover funds remaining from her last campaign.

The three women vying for council seats also share some of the same campaign contributors. The three candidates each received $2,000 from groups associated with the Kenmark Real Estate Group, the management firm for Half Moon Bay Golf Links and the Ocean Colony subdivision. The Plumbers & Steamlifters union chapter also gave $1,000 to all three council hopefuls.

Patridge adds those contributions to her other donors, which include $2,000 from the Waddell family in Half Moon Bay, and $950 from the California Real Estate Political Action Committee, which also donated to George Muteff and Rick Kowalczyk.

Handler, owner of Outland Java Company, reported $9,782 in donations, including large donations from the League for Coastside Protection and Montara resident Ken King – who both also donated to Freer and Ruddock’s campaigns.

Muteff has received $8,296 in donations for his bid for council, including large contributions from Branscomb Farms in Woodside and many residents along the Terrace Avenue and Frenchmen’s Creek neighborhoods.

Businessman Allan Alifano reported $6,953 in contributions from sources such as the San Mateo Association of Realtors and Mayor John Muller.

Kowalczyk reported $3,549 in fundraising, including large donations from Sam’s Chowderhouse and his family members spread throughout the country.

Bank manager Charles Hoelzel has received $497 so far.

The eight candidates are competing for three open seat on the council, which will be decided by voters on Nov. 3.