(This story has been updated with comment from Patricia Lesko.)

Mayor John Hieftje is significantly outpacing challenger Patricia Lesko in fundraising in the Ann Arbor mayoral race, bringing in $16,276 compared to her $5,543, according to campaign finance reports filed today.

However, Lesko's campaign has received a significant boost from the city's firefighters union, which has spent $5,144 - including $3,800 for billboards and $1,344 for T-shirts, according to state campaign finance reports.

Mayor John Hieftje is outpacing his opponent, Patricia Lesko, in fundraising.

Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com

Lesko, who is backed by both the firefighters and police unions, pledged not to take any direct donations from them. But the unions have been free to spend money on their own supporting the campaign.

Hieftje, who raised more money in his previous campaigns, said he hasn't worked as hard on fundraising this year. He has raised $16,276, plus another $624 in in-kind contributions. He's spent $7,059.

"This year is interesting because we're receiving checks from people who have never contributed before and people who we did not solicit," he said. "I think people recognize that this is an important race and important for the future of the city."

Lesko, who will challenge Hieftje in the Aug. 3 Democratic primary, has raised $5,543 — about $1,500 of which is her own money — plus about $814 in in-kind contributions. She has spent all but about $200 of the amount she has raised.

Lesko said in a statement she believes her campaign finance forms demonstrate she has more integrity than Hieftje. She questioned donations the mayor accepted from developers and union PACs and criticized Hieftje for "nonessential spending."

"Raising and spending $16,000 of other people's money to run for this office is a criminal waste in this economy," Lesko said. "My campaign finances demonstrate that I can manage money better and keep spending to a minimum, yet get the job done."

Lesko also said the fact that Hieftje had accepted money from people he has appointed to boards and commissions comes "much too close to pay-to-play" for her tastes.

Lesko did not return a phone call by AnnArbor.com and did not respond to a question asking her to comment on accepting indirect support from the firefighters union. She stated in April that since she could be involved in contract negotiations with the union, and have to vote on contracts, she would not take money from the union.

In the 1st Ward race for the Ann Arbor City Council, Democratic incumbent Sandi Smith has raised $3,485 to Democratic challenger Sumi Kailasapathy's $2,850.

Smith has spent $2,230, and Kailasapathy has spent $1,862. Smith reported another $83 in in-kind contributions, while Kailasapathy reported $66.

In the 5th Ward race, Democratic incumbent Carsten Hohnke has raised $5,987, compared to Democratic challenger Lou Glorie's $2,835.

Hohnke has spent $3,944, and Glorie has spent $1,454. Hohnke reported another $206 in in-kind contributions, while Glorie reported $249.

In the 4th Ward race, Democratic incumbent Margie Teall has raised $6,610 to Democratic challenger Jack Eaton's $4,619.

Teall has spent $2,921, and Eaton has spent $2,057. Teall reported another $75 in in-kind contributions, while Eaton reported $278.

• To view the reports, visit the county's campaign finance website.

Hiefjte's top contributors are Peter Heydon, a retired professor from the University of Michigan, who contributed the maximum $1,000, and Dennis Dahlmann, owner of Dahlmann Properties, who also gave $1,000.

Hieftje said he didn't think it was a conflict of interest that he accepted money from Dahlmann, who has tried this year to get the city to approve his development proposal for a town square on the Library Lot downtown. Hieftje said Dahlmann has been a longtime supporter of his campaigns.

Hieftje received $746 from Washtenaw County Commissioner Leah Gunn; $500 from William Zirinsky, owner of the Crazy Wisdom Bookstore; and $500 from Arthur Nusbaum, a self-employed real estate executive in Ann Arbor. His campaign finance report does not indicate he contributed any of his own money to the campaign.

Hieftje also took money from labor unions, reporting $300 from the Iron Workers Local 25 PAC and $500 from the Michigan Laborers Political League. He received nearly $400 worth of in-kind contributions from Gunn, who is appointed by the mayor to serve on the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. Joan Lowenstein, another DDA board member, provided $228 in in-kind donations.

Hieftje raised more than $7,000 in one day during the fundraiser hosted at Lowenstein's house on April 15. He took in another $7,226 during a 50-person reception on June 4 at his home on Baldwin Avenue.

Some of Hieftje's largest itemized expenses include $1,614 spent on yard signs from Sawicki & Sons of Detroit in April, followed by another $599 spent for more yard signs from the same company this month.

Lesko spent $995 on yard signs from Sawicki & Sons in April and another $696 on yard signs from the same company this month.

Lesko received $100 from John Floyd, a Republican who is running for the 5th Ward City Council seat currently held by Hohnke. She also received $500 from the Inspire Ann Arbor Leadership PAC, $100 from former 4th Ward City Council candidate Hatim Elhady, and $250 from Jack Eaton, who is running in the 4th Ward this year against Teall.

She also received $100 from Doug Cowherd, chairman of the local chapter of the Sierra Club. The $813 in in-kind contributions came from Ann Arbor residents Nancy Kaplan, LuAnne Bullington and Rene Greff, who is the owner of Arbor Brewing Co. and a former DDA board member.

Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529.