Mayor Tyller Williamson heads to commanding win for another term.

As the first vote counts dropped for candidates in the Monterey mayoral and City Council races Tuesday night around 8:25pm, a roar of excitement rang through Oscar’s Playground on Cannery Row, where Monterey Mayor Tyller Williamson, District 1 Councilmember Kim Barber and Alec Manas, candidate for District 2, held a joint watch party attended by about 100 supporters. The trio was elated at the initial results.

In the race for the Monterey mayor, Williamson has received 5,170 votes, or roughly 72 percent as of Wednesday, Nov. 4. Candidate Vince Malfitano, who declined to comment on the results, received 2,025 votes, or 28 percent.

“I feel amazing,” Williamson said at the party. “I am so thankful for everybody coming out. I am excited.”

Barber, who says she heard many concerns about affordability from residents on the campaign trail, took an early lead in the District 1 race, with 1,062 votes, or 52 percent.

“I’m ecstatic and very grateful to have the support of the people to get a second term and go back to work for them,” Barber says.

Barber’s challenger Tom Reeves, a retired Monterey city engineer, is trailing Barber by 59 votes as of Nov. 4.

“I appreciate all the support I have received from throughout the community,” Reeves says. “It’s been a very humbling experience to have so many people engage with me along this campaign.

“And no matter what happens, I will continue to support and advocate for this community. I’ve been involved ever since I arrived here 38 years ago and I’m not intending to go away.”

In the three-person race for an open seat in District 2, Jeff Whitmoyer, who did not fundraise for his campaign, has received 400 votes or 23 percent of the early count.

Vicki Nohrden, who ran for state office in the past and received support from retiring Councilmember Ed Smith, received 633 votes or 37 percent. Manas, a first-time candidate, is currently in the lead with 688 votes or about 40 percent of the tally as of Nov. 4.

“I knew I had support coming into this but I didn’t realize how much support I actually had,” Manas says. “I put my best foot forward with this campaign and I feel confident.”

Measure S would extend a 1-cent tax first approved in 2014. It looks likely to win based on initial results, with 1,665 votes cast against it, and 5,752 votes in favor, nearly 78 percent of the total. It needs two-thirds to pass.