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With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Steve Schewel and Farad Ali emerged from the crowded field.
Schewel, 66, a Durham City Council member, led the way with 12,934 votes or a commanding 51.2 percent of the ballots.
The 50-year-old Ali, a businessman who served on the city council from 2007-2011, picked up 7,369 votes for 29.1 percent.
Pierce Freelon - a 33-year-old college lecturer, rapper, and founder of Blackspace who has never held elected office - made a respectable showing with 4,007 votes, nearly 16 percent of the tally.
The runoff election will be November 7.