Faulconer led the crowded field with 43.6 percent of the vote as of 12:10 a.m. Wednesday with all precincts reporting, but the real contest was for second as a surging Alvarez pulled ahead of Qualcomm executive Nathan Fletcher, also a Democrat. Alvarez had 25.6 percent compared to Fletcher's 24.3 percent.
Former City Attorney Mike Aguirre, a Democrat, finished a distant fourth with less than 5 percent and seven lesser-known candidates each received less than 1 percent.
Tuesday’s special election was the result of former Mayor Bob Filner’s Aug. 30 resignation in the wake of rampant sexual harassment allegations.
Because no one received more than 50 percent, the top two finishers will spar in a runoff likely to be held in February.
