Roger Chapin’s fundraising is surging in the crowded race for the open Orlando City Council District 3 seat.

Chapin, a Mears Transportation executive who comes from a political family, raised nearly $79,000 from July 1 to Oct. 8. That’s the most money of any of the candidate running in the three Orlando City Council races to be decided on Nov. 4, according to the latest campaign finance reports. 

Chapin is among five candidates running for the open District 3 to succeed longtime Commissioner Robert Stuart, who is not seeking a sixth term. District 3 includes the bustling downtown neighborhoods of College Park and Baldwin Park.

Behind Chapin, the next biggest fundraiser in District 3 was Mira Tanna, the grants manager for the city of Orlando. She raised nearly $30,000 from July 1 to Oct. 8.

Lawyer Kimberly Kiss raised about $12,000 in donations and loaned herself another $10,000 in the same time period. Youth sports coach Chris Durant raised about $14,000, while Orange Conservation District Supervisor Samuel Chambers raised less than $200.

Some of Chapin’s recent big-name donors include Rosen Hotels and Resorts and its CEO, Frank Santos. Both wrote him a $1,000 check. Other donors included Orlando Magic, the Central Florida Hotel and Lodging Association and former Senate President Andy Gardiner.

Chapin, whose mother is former Orange County Mayor Linda Chapin, has brought in $197,000 for the entire election cycle. So far, he has spent $80,000 of it, leaving $117,000 in his war chest for the final weeks before the election.

Chapin previously unsuccessfully ran for the Orlando City Council in 2002.

Last month, District 3 lost one candidate after Jason Albu dropped out of the race. “As much as I care about serving this community, this simply isn’t the right time for me, my family, or my business,” Albu said.

Albu then endorsed Chapin.

Orlando voters will be deciding races in Districts 1, 3 and 5 in the Nov. 4 election as the city government undergoes a major transformation in the next few years. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer is not seeking re-election.