Elo-Rivera, Whitburn Outpacing Challengers for San Diego City Council

The two San Diego City Council incumbents appeared poised to snag easy victories Tuesday.

Council President Sean Elo-Rivera, who represents District 9, and Stephen Whitburn, in District 3, held double-digit advantages over their challengers in early returns.

Elo-Rivera , is being challenged by retired Marine sergeant major and San Diego police officer Terry Hoskins .

Elo-Rivera, a lawyer and community activist, has backed tenant protections while pressing for more affordable housing as he's held the seat, which represents an area that includes communities south of Interstate 8 and mostly east of Interstate 805.

Hoskins prefers neighborhood control to encourage "smart growth." The incumbent, with 52% of the vote, and Hoskins, with 30%, emerged from a field of three in the primary.

District 3, stretching from downtown to Mission Valley, has grappled with rapid development, and incumbent Whitburn has stood with Mayor Todd Gloria on the issue. Whitburn, who also is chair of the Metropolitan Transit System board, faces Coleen Cusack , a teacher and former trial attorney who directed a bail project and served as founder and supervising attorney for the Pro Bono Traffic Court Clinic at California Western School of Law.

She wants to promote policies that allow for economic development, safe and adequate housing and safer communities. In the March primary, Whitburn received 52% of the vote in a field of four; Cusack led the rest with 21% .