COEUR d'ALENE - Former Idaho legislator George Sayler is leading the pack in campaign contributions for next week's Coeur d'Alene City Council election.

Sayler, running for open council seat 3, has raised $11,515 to date, according to seven-day pre-general disclosure reports filed on Tuesday. Sayler has spent $5,340.

"I think it's because people know me and trust that I will be open-minded, that I will be fair," Sayler said of his fundraising success. "I have a record of public service and have a long history with people from all areas of the community."

Sayler has collected contributions from more than 125 individuals. His largest contributors this period include the Washington State Council of County and City Employees PAC, which gave $1,000, and Jack Riggs, who gave $500.

Last period, one of his largest contributions was $1,000 from the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.

Sayler noted that it is Coeur d'Alene members of the county and city employee PAC that have contributed. The dollars were just sent from the organization's Washington office, he said.

"It's my understanding it's local employees from the city association," he said.

Dan Gookin, also running for seat 3, boasts the second-highest amount raised of $7,470. He has spent $3,028.

"I ask," Gookin said of his fundraising secret. "Americans are very generous people, but they don't just give. You have to ask."

His biggest contributors have included Jim Doty, Rep. Kathleen Sims and Darrell Sims, who each gave $500. Coeur d'Alene Honda, co-owned by the Sims, also gave $909. Gookin also received $999 from Brent Reagan.

Amber Copeland, seat 3 candidate and North Idaho College student, has raised $360 and spent $94.

Derec Aujay and Pat Mitchell, also running for seat 3, are a little behind, having raised nothing.

Seat 5 challenger Steve Adams is among the most successful fundraisers, having received $7,030 to date. He has spent $3,879.

"I think just having the support, I've established myself in the last couple years," the Allstate agent said.

His highest contributions from this period have been from Kathleen Sims, $500, and James Doty, $500. Coeur d'Alene Honda contributed $909.

He has also received $1,000 each from Charles Adams and Mary Adams of Coeur d'Alene, and $1,000 from Craig Adams of Coeur d'Alene.

"I know my parents and my brother are my largest contributors, that was probably the major plug," Adams said with a laugh on Tuesday.

Seat 5 incumbent John Bruning has raised $4,822 so far. He has spent $69.

Bruning's biggest contributions have come from the Washington State Council of County and City Employees PAC, $1,000, and Jack Riggs, $400.

"I know my opponent has raised more money than I have, but I'm OK with that," said Bruning, retired from the U.S. Forest Service. "I know I have some more money coming in before the end."

Council member Ron Edinger, who occupies seat 1, has placed a wide gap between himself and his challenger by raising $5,461 to date. He has spent $2,430.

Adam Graves, vying to take seat 1, has raised $2,988. His total expenditures are $1,893.

Edinger's largest contributions also include $1,000 from Washington State Council of County and City Employees PAC, as well as $250 from Gary Schneidmiller.

"The people of Coeur d'Alene and others have always supported me financially real well," said Edinger, former city mayor. "I think they believe in what I stand for."

Graves, co-founder of a marketing firm, received his biggest contributions this period from Jack Riggs, $291; and Phillippe Provost, $242. Last period, he received $1,000 from Thomas Magnuson.

By Tuesday evening, the report for seat 3 candidate Annastasia Somontes still had not been posted on the city website.

Disclosure reports can be viewed at www.cdaid.org, under "Election Information."

Nov. 8 is Election Day for cities and fire districts in Kootenai County.