McGinn holding slim lead in Seattle mayor race

SEATTLE - Mike McGinn took an early lead in Tuesday's election results, 51 percent to 49 percent against opponent Joe Mallahan.

McGinn sounded an optimistic tone after hearing the initial results, announcing to enthusiastic supporters, 'thank you, it's a good night."

Mallahan spoke to his supporters, saying "this thing is far from over," then joking, "I want a whole planeload of you down in Miami tomorrow for the recount," referring to the disputed 2000 Presidential election results.

"I really am an inspired candidate and I hope to be a successful candidate," Mallahan said to an enthusiastic crowd of supporters chanting "Joe! Joe! Joe!" 

The next results are not expected be released until Wednesday afternoon.

Neither has ever held or run for elective public office before. One major difference between the two: McGinn opposes replacing the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel; Mallahan supports the tunnel.

The biggest difference in where the candidates stood on the plan to replace the Alaskan Way Viaduct with a tunnel. Mallahan supported it, while McGinn based his campaign on opposing it.

Some pointed to McGinn's apparent flip flop on his opposition to the tunnel, as a critical turning point in the campaign. McGinn changed from outright opposition to saying he wouldn't oppose the tunnel, but would continue to ask tough questions about the project.