Throughout the evening, she has been reserved and philosophical about how the numbers will finish.

Jones, a former "Survivor" contestant, is also celebrating her 42nd birthday tonight. Supporters just cut a cake. Her teenage son took the day off from school to work the polls and get a hands on civic lesson.

Unexpectedly, educator Joe Trevino has been running a strong second place. He has been in education for 32 years -- 25 of them as administrator. He is currently a monitor for the T.E.A. Trevino has been cautiously optimistic over his showing.

Political analysts had thought Zaf Tahir would be most likely to make a runoff. He is a well- financed candidate, who has run a task force on convenience store safety issues. Tahir is an engineer and businessman originally from Pakistan.

Tom Nixon is making a fair showing. The former HPD officer was fired several months ago after criticizing the department's chase policies. He is now an attorney and advocating management changes at H.P.D.