• Cathy Murillo celebrates with supporters as they watch Santa Barbara City Council election returns Tuesday night at Tony Ray’s Restaurant & Cantina in De la Guerra Plaza. (Nick St.Oegger / Noozhawk)
  • Early Wednesday, Cathy Murillo was in second place. (Lara Cooper / Noozhawk)
  • Councilman Dale Francisco was leading the 10-candidate field. (Nick St.Oegger / Noozhawk)
  • Councilman Randy Rowse watches election returns at his downtown Santa Barbara restaurant, the Paradise Café. (Nick St.Oegger / Noozhawk)
  • Councilman Dale Francisco flashes a victory smile. (Lara Cooper / Noozhawk)
  • There was much to cheer about Tuesday night at the Paradise Café victory party for Councilmen Randy Rowse and Dale Francisco. (Nick St.Oegger / Noozhawk)
  • Santa Barbara Assistant City Administrator Marcelo Lopez prepares to announce the start of City Council election ballot counting Tuesday night at City Hall. (Giana Magnoli / Noozhawk)
  • City staff members count ballots late into the night Tuesday at City Hall. From left, the Santa Barbara Airport’s Hazel Johns, Gary Harwell, labor negotiator Kristy Schmidt and airport director Karen Ramsdell. (Giana Magnoli / Noozhawk)

Bill Macfadyen is Noozhawk’s founder and publisher. Contact him at wmacfadyen@noozhawk.com, and follow him on Instagram: @bill.macfadyen. The opinions expressed are his own.