ELECTION COVERAGE

Huntington Beach residents appear to be saying a resounding “yes” to the Measure T ballot measure tonight, with nearly 60% of absentee votes cast in favor of building a new senior center at Central Park.

Also in early election returns, Councilwoman Cathy Green leads the pack of Huntington Beach council hopefuls by a slim margin, signaling a possible close finish for all candidates as more updates come in from the Orange County Registrar of Voters.

Green leads with 18.9% of the vote, followed closely by Councilwoman Jill Hardy in her reelection bid at 16.1%, according to preliminary results.

Joe “Jersey Joe” Carchio trails close behind with 15.6% and Councilman Gil Coerper at 15.2%.

Four of the seven council seats are open.

Flossie Horgan, a popular figure in Huntington Beach who ran an organized campaign, trails with 13.5%.

Local businessman Joe Shaw, in his first foray into politics, came in at 12.7%. Among seven council candidates, he contributed by far the most money to his own race — about $27,000.

Shaw learned fast and adapted well, putting in regular appearances at council meetings early in the game.

Opponents of Measure T received about 6,000 votes, 41% of absentee ballots. The group’s last big push probably helped in shoring up numbers. The Save Central Park group rented an open-air truck with a “Vote No on T” sign to drive around the city as well as rallied 31 speakers for the council meeting on Monday.

Measure T supporters, however, outspent their opponents with more than $20,000 in expenses, more than what they received in campaign contributions.