Encinitas

Bolstered by a late surge from absentee voters, Encinitas Planning Commissioner Gail Hano upset Councilman Greg Luke on Thursday in the battle for the third opening on the Encinitas City Council.

Hano led Luke by only five votes after balloting on Election Day, but she pulled away for the victory Thursday when election officials counted late-arriving absentee ballots.

In the final tally for the three council posts, Planning Commissioner Pam Slater was the top vote-getter with 8,622, followed by Councilwoman Anne Omsted with 8,599 and Hano with 7,361.

Luke trailed Hano by 18 votes with 7,343, and Cardiff Town Council President John Davis totaled 7,225.