GOP May Control San Diego City Council

Results from Tuesday's primary could bring major change to the makeup of San Diego's City Council.

If the primary leads are an indicator for the fall, San Diegans could see a Republican majority on the council for the first time in years.

Small business owner Ray Ellis ended up ahead of Councilmember Sherri Lightner for District 1. The two were separated by 866 votes, with Ellis ahead by about 4 percent.

"I'm the only candidate running that's actually implemented pension reform," Lightner told NBCSanDiego.

For District 7, small business owner Scott Sherman has earned 51 percent of the vote with 90 percent of precincts reporting. Nearest competitor, home health advocate Mat Kostrinsky, is 28 points behind.

In District 9, Marti Emerald, with 72 percent of the vote, has not had much of a challenge from Mateo Camarillo. The 9th district is new this year as a result of redistricting. Emerald left District 7 to run for the new council seat.

District 5 is currently represented by Carl DeMaio. DeMaio is running for San Diego mayor so his replacement will likely be technology consultant Mark Kersey, who was the only candidate to qualify.