Courtesy photo

City Attorney Dennis Herrera is running for mayor of San Francisco

San Francisco City Attorney Dennis Herrera has surged to an early lead in the fundraising race among the current field of mayoral candidates, campaign disclosure forms filed on Monday show.

From the time he announced his candidacy in late August until the end of 2010, Herrera received more than $265,000 in contributions, which are limited to $500 apiece under city election rules.

His givers appeared to include many from the city’s legal circles, such as Kimiko Burton, the former public defender, and Stephen P. Berzon of the law firm Altshuler Berzon. Wealthy, politically active San Franciscans also populated his list of backers, including: Giants owner William Neukom; Paul S. Otellini, the Intel chief executive; and Diane B. Wilsey, the philanthropist. (Disclosure: Wilsey is a major donor to The Bay Citizen and a member of the board.)

Political observers expect the race to be long and expensive, with some candidates likely approaching the $2 million mark come November.

But new, generous public financing rules — which release taxpayer funds into campaigns that surpass certain thresholds in private fundraising — may also inject an element of unpredictability and competitiveness into the contest. For instance, candidates who raise more than $125,000 can get $450,000 worth of help from the city, while those who break $500,000 receive another $800,000. Campaigns that receive public funds must, however, accept spending limits.

With 10 months to go before the election, several contenders besides Herrera — and the heavyweights who may yet enter the race — have already demonstrated their potential to mount formidable campaigns, especially if they choose to receive public money.

State Sen. Leland Yee, who is considered a front runner, raised $165,000. Yee announced his candidacy for mayor in mid-November, a week after he was re-elected to a second term in Sacramento.

Yee’s total was nearly matched by venture capitalist Joanna Rees, a political outsider who made a bright start with more than $154,000 in contributions. Rees’ independent wealth could influence the race in the coming months, insiders say, but it remains unclear whether she intends to draw from her personal resources.

Former District 8 Supervisor Bevan Dufty raised roughly $80,000 during the last six months, he said on Sunday, adding that he currently has “$50,000 to $60,000” in cash on hand.

Dufty has had to defend his campaign spending after a recent news report revealed that he had all but spent the $100,000 war chest he had accrued during the first six months of last year.

But because he has raised more than $125,000, he will soon receive a $450,000 infusion from the city, Dufty noted.

“It’s kind of like dropping gasoline on my barbecue,” he said. “I’m gonna start cooking really fast.”

Assessor-Recorder Phil Ting, who raised $50,000 in the last period, is on track to reach the $500,000 mark and secure a windfall of $800,000 in taxpayer money, his campaign said.