Incumbents Rick DeGolia and Bill Widmer, along with Environmental Programs Committee Chair Stacy Miles Holland, led in a four-way race for the three seats on the Atherton City Council by the end of election night.

Mayor DeGolia is the top vote-getter so far with 31.5% or 1,232 votes. Vice Mayor Widmer had 29.3% or 1,152 votes. Miles Holland has 20.8% or 815 votes.

The other candidate, longtime resident Greg Conlon, trailed behind with 18.3% or 716 votes.

Initial election results include vote-by-mail ballots received in the mail as of Friday, Nov. 4, and vote-by-mail ballots returned at vote centers and drop boxes on or before Nov. 4. They also include all Vote Center ballots.

On Tuesday night, Widmer said he is "cautiously optimistic" about his lead so far. He noted there are still votes to count, but he was impressed with the number of ballots brought to the drop box at the civic center.

DeGolia said on election night the results look good for him, but there are still more votes to count to determine if Conlon or Miles Holland is elected.

"If this lead holds, I'll be joining Atherton City Council next year," said Miles Holland in a Wednesday statement. New council members are typically seated in December, after election results are finalized.

"Whatever the outcome, I have never felt more connected to my community. It's been wonderful meeting so many of my Atherton neighbors, and I'm more inspired than ever to serve our town," she said.

Whomever wins will play a part in shaping the town's housing element, a road map for accommodating future development over the next eight years including a significant increase in housing units that must be planned for. The town received extensive feedback from the state on Oct. 31 on its draft element, which relies heavily on homeowners building backyard accessory dwelling units and lot splits.

Candidates said combating climate change, street safety and reducing residential burglaries in town were also important issues to them.

The county plans to release its latest vote tally before 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 10, after The Almanac's Wednesday afternoon press deadline.