Updated 10:01 p.m.

Challenger Shahid Shafi has claimed the Place 1 seat on the Southlake City Council, defeating incumbent Martin Schelling, while Gary Fawks has come out on top in Place 6, according to unofficial results.

Shafi earned 52.02 percent of the final vote with 1,727 votes in his favor. Schelling, the incumbent, pulled in 47.98 percent of ballots cast with 1,593.

Shafi, a resident of Southlake since 2004, was quick to share his enthusiasm after unofficial results showed his victory.

"I am thrilled and excited the people have spoken," Shafi said. "From now on, the Southlake City Council will pay attention to what its citizens want."

Shafi campaigned with a focus on housing development in the community, pushing for adherence to a plan that calls for low-density and medium-density development and shuns high-density growth. When he made the choice to run, he said it was because he felt it was the best way he could give back to the country that is home to his family.

"I would like to contribute to our city by pursuing policies that will improve the quality of life in our city, protect property values for homeowners and support our schools," Shafi said.

Fawks, who tallied 1,806 votes, or 54.96 percent of the total, defeated challenger Virginia M. Muyzka, who earned 1,480 votes, or 45.04 percent.

Fawks, a former mayor pro tem, said he was similarly pleased to see voters support his positions, including a pattern of development that pays close attention to density.

"It was a long, hard race," Fawks said. "I'm glad the message I was putting out there was received well by the voters. I'm looking forward to three more years of service."

Posted 7:55 p.m.

In the balloting for two seats on the Southlake City Council, unofficial early voting results indicate challenger Shahid Shafi is ahead in the race for the Place 1 seat, with Gary Fawks ahead in the Place 6 race.

Shafi earned 50.87 percent of the vote in his bid for the Place 1 seat, or 1,077 ballots, with Schelling earning 49.13 percent, or 1040 votes. Schelling was the incumbent in that race.

Shafi, who campaigned on a platform that Southlake needs to control high-density housing and work to maintain a housing profile of mostly low-density and medium-density developments, was optimistic as early vote totals were announced.

"I'm feeling great," Shafi said after the early vote totals were released. "I think we ran a great campaign and brought awareness to an important issue facing our city."

In the open field for Place 6, Gary Fawks earned 1,126 ballots, or 53.49 percent of the vote, with Virginia M. Muzyka bringing in 979 votes, or 46.51 percent.

Fawks said it was far too early to tell, and his experience tells him a fairly close early vote can swing either direction once final voting numbers are complete.

"Election Day votes will tell the tale."

The Place 6 race fills the seat being vacated by incumbent Pamela Muller, who opted not to run.