GUILDERLAND — The two candidates for town supervisor each raised over $12,000 for their campaigns, and spent more than $14,000, paying for the difference themselves.

Peter Barber, the Democratic victor, raised $12,253 from 78 contributors, between Jan. 1 and Dec. 1, and spent $14,599.26 in the same time period.

Brian Forte, a Democrat who ran on the Republican line, raised $14,971 from 48 contributors, and spent $16,473.

Barber, who had more contributors but raised less money, did not have any contributions above $500.

“I think the contributions were basically modest, for the most part,” said Barber this week. “Most of mine were individuals who had no dealings before the zoning board, or any board, as far as I know.”

Barber, a lawyer, was the longtime chairman of Guilderland’s Zoning Board.

Forte, a retired Guilderland Police Officer and current board member, had several contributions of $1,000 or more, some of which were controversial, because they came from individuals involved with the proposal of a Cumberland Farms at the corner of routes 20 and 146.

He received a total of $1,750 in three separate contributions, including $500 from Charles Carrow, $250 from Anthony Carrow, and $1,000 from Thomas Burke. The Carrows own Tri-Way Services, which owns the empty lot, and Burke is the developer.

The project has since been pulled.

Barber said his spending was ramped up in the last month before the election because “Voters, for the most part, don’t really start paying attention until shortly before the election.”

Most of his spending, he said, was on signs and mailers, and he spent more than $700 on a robo-call. He also placed ads in The Altamont Enterprise.

“I think the bottom line is, towards the end, all the tools are a way of informing voters that there is an election, and when it is,” said Barber. “Voters, for the most part, don’t really start paying attention until shortly before the election.”

Forte’s major expenses were on lawn signs and literature. He could not be reached for comment.

Lee Carman, a Republican and the top vote-getter in the town board race, raised $4,275, and spent $3,143.86.

Rosemary Centi, who came in second in the race to earn the other seat on the board, spent $4,884.83, but only raised $249.04.

“It was a self-financed campaign,” said Centi. “I didn’t hold any fundraisers; I wasn’t inclined.”

Michele Coons, a Republican, who came in third, raised $4,268, and spent $4,086.05.

Democrat Al Maikels raised and spent more than any other town board member, but still ended up with the fewest votes in a close race. He raised $8,277 and spent $8,714.56.