More than a week after the election—as New Times went to press—SLO City Councilwoman Jan Marx was leading Paul Brown by 298 votes in the race for mayor of San Luis Obispo. Votes were still being counted in the concrete-and-glass depths of the SLO County government building.

Marx’s election will undoubtedly create the next big council debate: Who will fill the council seat Marx will have to vacate to become mayor?

The next City Council will have to decide whether to hold a special election or appoint someone to fill the seat. Considering the financial predicament the city is in and the usual lack of interest most city councils have in special elections, people in the know think it likely the next councilmember will be appointed.

Brown and others have suggested Dan Carpenter, runner up in the City Council race by only 289 votes, should be appointed.

The Morro Bay mayoral race also remained close as of press time, with William Yates leading Betty Winholtz by 57 votes.