London mayoral candidate Paul Cheng has refused a last-minute developer donation, citing what he considers the poor optics of accepting it, his just-released donor list shows.

Cheng turned down a contribution from Drewco Development Corp. to his largely self-financed campaign, but has accepted about three dozens donations – mostly from low-profile Londoners – to help bankroll his bid.

The decision to reject the developer cash, made this week, was simple, Cheng told The Free Press Saturday.

“I don’t want to be seen – I have a choice,” he said, shifting thoughts mid-sentence. “Whether you’re in the pocket or you owe anything to a certain group.

“We’re beholden to nobody.”

While polls suggest Cheng faces a tall order to beat front-running Matt Brown for the job in Monday’s election, the political neophyte who went from total unknown to true contender in mere months is still campaigning hard.

He published his donor list Saturday, one day after Brown revealed he has the support of nearly 1,000 different donors – no doubt a record for a local municipal campaign.

Joe Swan also published his supporters’ names. There are about 30 donors backing what he described as a “modest” campaign.

Few names stand out among Cheng backers. Andrew Spriet and the London District Heavy Construction Association are on the list, as are small local businesses like Danny’s Wine & Beer.

A poor servant's son who came to Canada from Hong Kong at age 13 in 1969, Cheng made his money as an oil-and-gas consultant. He works largely outside Canada.

He says he left his work overseas to launch a mayoral bid earlier this year, when few were taking him seriously. But he’s spent big money – his own – on advertising and tapped into a widespread desire for fresh blood at city hall.

That has him consistently polling second behind Brown and well ahead of veterans Swan and Roger Caranci, who last week stopped campaigning and urged Londoners to back Cheng.

The campaign has been a remarkable success, whatever happens Monday. But Cheng, 58, remains confident he can win.

As for the self-financed campaign, he said: “If this is not commitment I don’t know what is. I’ve got no more blood to give, man.”

Paul Cheng donor list by The London Free Press

Matt Brown donor list by The London Free Press

Donor List Swan for Mayor Oct 15-14 by The London Free Press