DE LA TORRE LEADS COUNCIL MONEY RACE.

Byline: Rachel Uranga Staff Writer

With nearly a month to go before City Council elections, incumbent Mayor Maribel De la Torre is far outpacing her five competitors' fund-raising efforts, according to documents released by the city clerk this week.

But De la Torre, who like several of her challengers has enjoyed contributions of more than $1,000, could see donations slow after a $500 campaign contribution limit goes into effect today.

Following is a list of the fund-raising efforts - from July 2004 until Jan. 22 - of the candidates vying for two open seats on the five member council.

--Incumbent Maribel De la Torre, 33, pulled in $9,950 this year, including $1,000 from the owner of the city's contracted trash company, Crown Disposal, and $4,500 from the campaign committee of her sister Assemblywoman Cindy Montanez.

--Incumbent Jose Hernandez, 74, brought in $4,710. His major donors were state Sen. Richard Alarcon's campaign committee, which gave $2,500, and the Mexican American Political Association or MAPA.

--Elvira Orozco, 72, a former city treasurer, raised $5,715. Of that, $4,000 was her own money. She was also backed by MAPA, with a $1,000 contribution.

--Danitza Pantoja, a family counselor and commissioner on the Park and Recreation Committee, pulled in $4,324, more than half of the money also came from a campaign committee supporting Montanez.

--Gilbert Berriozabal, 29, head of a pregnancy prevention program run out of Northridge Hospital Medical Center, raised $3,440, much of the money coming from smaller donors.

--Angel Granados, 32, a self-employed general contractor and community activist, raised $2,649 since July. His contributions all came in amounts of $500 or less.

Rachel Uranga, [phone]

rachel.uranga(at)dailynews.com