As expected, the hotly-contested City Council race in Land Park and the Central City appears headed for the November election.
In returns updated late tonight, architect Joe Yee led with 27.7 percent of the vote. Biotech manager Steve Hansen followed close behind with 26.8 percent. Attorney and non-profit director Phyllis Newton had 24.5 percent.
If none of the candidates reaches 50 percent, the top two will face off in the November run-off.
Hansen, seeking to become the city's first openly gay City Council member, walked into the midtown bar Headhunters to loud applause.
"We're not done here but we have a lot to be proud of," he said, as reported by The Bee's Hannah Madans. "This community knows a lot about pride."
"We're really proud of what the community has done to make this happen," he said. The LGBT community worked to have the gay-friendly midtown and downtown neighborhoods combined into a single council district in an attempt to elect a gay council member.
Newton later told The Bee's Andrea Gallo that her biggest challenge has been being the only mother in the race.
"It's made it the most rewarding (experience), too, to serve as a role model for my daughter," she said.
Newton added her "vision for the city has resonated with a very broad group of voters."
MORE ELECTION 2012 COVERAGE
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