SEATTLE- Early election results show Alexis Mercedes Rinck in eighth place ahead of Tanya Woo with 57.32% of the vote in the race to fill the Seattle City Council seat.

The position was currently held by businesswoman Woo, who was appointed in January. She filled the vacancy vacated by King County Council member Teresa Mosqueda. After 72 applications, the city council initially nominated eight candidates for the vacant seat.

Although Woo had been supported by most city councilors, she trailed Rinck in the August primary election.

Woo, a fifth-generation Seattleite, has made giving voice to people and businesses in marginalized communities a focus of her campaign.

She has supported the city's approach to clearing out homeless encampments, such as contracting with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority for WSDOT properties, despite criticism from many that clearing out encampments simply moves the tents to a different block and the problems continue.

Rinck, a University of Washington graduate and Central District resident, focused her campaign on equity and well-resourced communities.

She described her experience with the King County Regional Homeless Authority setting up a severe weather shelter. She was criticized by her opponent for her role in KCRHA's release of an expensive housing plan that later failed. She admits the independent government agency, which now has a new CEO, needs improvements to get more people in need off the streets.

Votes are still being counted and numbers will be updated to reflect the most current percentage.