San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee reacts as his wife, Anita, looks on during his election day party in San Francisco
San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee reacts as his wife, Anita, looks on during his election day party in San Francisco, California November 8, 2011. Lee is seeking election to his first full-term in office. Reuters

Interim Mayor Ed Lee will be San Francisco's first Chinese mayor with 85 percent of the vote counted in the mayoral race, defeating other 15 candidates.

Supervisor John Avalos, the next closest challenger, got about 39 percent of the vote, according to the city's elections department.

Lee, 59, was appointed as interim mayor in Jan. when then-Mayor Gavin Newsom got the lieutenant governor job in Sacramento. At first, Lee wasn't interested in running for a four-year term. However, later he decided to try.

Lee's supporters said they like his matter-of-fact style and apparent ability to work with the Board of Supervisors.

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