Candidates Jeffrey Harlan and Mike Buley jumped to early vote leads Tuesday night, but were in tight races for Costa Mesa City Council, while Mayor John Stephens pulled ahead after polls closed in his reelection bid.

Figures updated Thursday at 5 p.m. showed Mayor John Stephens holding firm in his reelection campaign, but returns also favored two new conservative-leaning candidates in council districts 1 and 6.

Three candidates are running for the seat on the City Council this November, while two candidates compete to be the next mayor.