New District 5 Councilman-Elect: Mark Kersey

Mark Kersey will succeed Councilman Carl DeMaio in District 5, which covers Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch and Rancho Bernardo. He was unopposed. DeMaio vacated the seat to run for mayor.

Businessman Scott Sherman was on the verge of an outright victory in the San Diego City Council's District 7 race today, while businessman Ray Ellis and incumbent Councilwoman Sherri Lightner were headed for a runoff in District 1.

With nearly 90 percent of the precincts counted, Sherman had 51 percent of the vote, compared to 39.3 percent for home health advocate Mat Kostrinsky in the district that includes Tierrasanta, Del Cerro and San Carlos.

"What tonight is really showing is what a great night this is for reform in San Diego," Sherman told supporters.

The area has been represented by Councilwoman Marti Emerald, who is moving over to the newly created District 9, which runs from the College Area through part of City Heights to Southcrest. Emerald won that seat outright over challenger Mateo Camarillo.

In another competitive race, Ellis was the top vote-getter in District 1, which covers La Jolla and Carmel Valley, but was followed closely by Lightner, but neither appeared likely to earn the 50 percent of the vote needed to claim the seat outright.

Ellis told City News Service he was "honored" by the support of San Diegans in his district.

Incumbent Councilman Todd Gloria was returned to office without challenge in District 3, made up of downtown, Hillcrest and North Park.

-City News Service