See updates at the bottom of the post. First posted at 9 p.m.

Ron Galperin has taken an early lead in the race for City Controller tonight, with early results showing him ahead of City Hall veteran Dennis Zine, 52 to 47.9 percent.

These results are an extremely small percentage of the total ballots to be counted tonight, so be sure to check back often.

Zine, a long-time city councilman and 33-year veteran of the LAPD, was initially by far the better-known candidate. He also raised $1.14 million to Galperin's $584,433.

Galperin is a Century City attorney and neighborhood council activist — one of the few new names on this year's ballot. Other than an unsuccessful run for City Council, this is his first attempt at elected office.

Dennis Zine

Dennis Zine

He earned endorsements from the Democratic Party, the L.A. Times and the L.A. Daily News for his message of fiscal discipline. He finished first in the six-man primary in March.

Update: At 10:30, with a paltry 8.05 percent of precincts reporting, plus those mail-in ballots, Galperin is holding onto his lead. He's got 52.48 percent of the vote to Zine's 47.51.

Update: At 11 p.m., with 13 percent of city precincts reporting, Galperin's lead is growing. He's beating Zine, 53.27 to 46.72 percent.

Update: At 11:20, Galperin is hanging on — he's up 53.73 percent to Zine's 46.26.

Update: And as the night continues (and ballot counts continue to trickle in), Galperin continues to increase his lead. With 37.6 precincts reporting, he's leading 54.78 to 45.21 percent.

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