A number of candidates also have significant cash reserves on hand to carry them through to Tuesday's election.

A few of those larger donations helped Republican mayoral candidate Randy McClement catch up in the funds race to his Democratic opponent, Jason Judd, according to the reports.

McClement will also go into next week's election with $4,591 cash on hand, compared with Judd's $1,613.

Although Judd has now raised $54,725 since he started campaigning, compared with McClement's $17,577, McClement's donations in the most recent report almost matched Judd's.

"We had an influx of cash that was unexpected," McClement said.

The GOP candidate said he will try to exhaust his campaign account by Election Day.

Judd raised $9,861, which included $1,951 in-kind, in the October filing period. McClement raised $9,819.

Judd could not be reached for comment Wednesday afternoon.

After Tuesday, candidates may keep their accounts open if they anticipate running for office again. Otherwise, donations must be returned to the donors or donated to the candidate's political central committee, charitable organizations, the county Board of Education or nonprofit organizations that benefit teachers or students.

"You can't enrich yourself at the expense of your contributors," said Anne Leffler, director of the city Board of Supervisors of Elections.

McClement received five donations of more than $500 in the most recent filing period. The largest, $2,500, came from the campaign funds of Republican state Sen. David Brinkley.

Judd took five cash donations of $500 or greater. The largest, $1,000, came from Frederick resident William Anderson.

Aldermanic candidates have also been busy.

Republican Shelley Aloi leaped from seventh in total donations to second place with $11,629.

Aloi's total is still behind that of the top earner, Karen Young, who has raised $18,521 since she started her campaign.

Both women also have the most cash on hand -- Young with $7,987 and Aloi with $7,858.

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