With 217 of 237 precincts reportings, unofficial results indicate Sheryl Cole will win her re-election with 71 percent of the votes against newcomer Shaun Ireland's 29 percent.

"I am deeply honored the voters have shown such a strong commitment to my candidacy, and I am looking forward to continuing my public service," she said.

Cole held on to her lead as results were revealed once polls closed at 7 p.m. She and Place 5 candidate and incumbent Bill Spelman were at Victory Grill in East Austin as the results came in.

Cole said she chose the place because it was where she had her first election kickoff party.

Earlier in the evening, Ireland said he remained optimistic about how the results will turn out.

"I've run my campaign on message, ideas and reform and I think voters understand this and the results will show that," he said.

Ireland, mayoral candidate Clay Dafoe and Place 5 candidate John Rubine watched as results came in at Fado Irish Pub on Fourth Street in downtown Austin.

Cole's history on City Council is noteworthy because she became the first African-American woman to join City Council with her election in 2006. Voters re-elected her in 2009, and she has held the title Mayor Pro Tem since 2011.

Cole was a certified public accountant before earning her law degree in 1991 working for Wright & Greenhill and then the Texas Municipal League.

She got her start in politics as president of a PTA. From there, her previous board experience includes positions with Leadership Austin, the Austin Area Urban League and Communities In Schools. Cole also was appointed by Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, then serving as Austin mayor, to the Austin Citizen Bond Committee in 1998.

Cole said she has been walking door-to-door, making phone calls and using social media during her campaign. She said she has been connecting with voters on various issues, including an Austin Energy rate increase, economic incentives and the new medical school. She said overall distrust in government has declined.

"We need to strengthen that community bond," she said.

Cole's competitor is Shaun Ireland, a novice to the political world, and his race to replace Cole for Place 6 is his first.

Although Ireland has only lived in Austin for about one year, he is an eighth-generation Texan from Nacogdoches. He earned a bachelor's in fine arts in film and TV production from New York University and is also an Eagle Scout.

Ireland said the campaign trail has been tough for a newcomer facing an incumbent, especially with campaign contributions. According to campaign finance reports filed with the city, between Feb. 14 and May 4, Ireland's campaign received $970 in total contributions and spent $12,042. His opponent's campaign received $109,390 in total contributions and spent $81,245 between Jan. 1 and May 4.

Ireland has participated in candidate forums and listened to what residents have to say about fixing issues in Austin, especially those relevant to certain parts of Austin, such as the deer overpopulation in Northwest Austin.

"It's been great, visiting different areas of town to hear about an area's specific problems," he said.

Ireland earned endorsements from Texas for Accountable Government and from the Mexican-American Democrats.