Bill Steinke and Carol Rae Culliton will battle for the District 1 seat on the Cape Coral City Council on Nov. 8 after both advanced in a four-way primary Tuesday.

Vying for the seat held by Councilmember Gloria Tate, who will not seek another term, Steinke was easily the top vote getter, taking more than 45 percent of the vote.

“They say the average overnight success takes about seven years. It was hard work and it took a lot of people,” Steinke said. “It feels real good.”

Steinke earned 12,953 votes and 45.33 percent, with Culliton finishing second with 7,130 votes, good for 24.95 percent and advancement to November.

“I’m glad I finished second. I hope Bill and I can debate the issues. I’m still in it and I hope I can serve my community,” Culliton said.

Ally Wharton was third with 19.61 percent. Jean Pierre Etcheverry earned 10.11 percent of the vote.

Wharton said she would pledge her support for Steinke.

Steinke had nothing but kind words for Culliton, but said his experience in the private sector would be an advantage.

“Our community is blessed to have her organization provide funding for the organizations in our area. I believe I’m more experienced in a multi-faceted organization and with very large budgets. I’ll stand by my resume,” Steinke said.

Culliton said she’s impressed by his rise, but is ready for the challenge.

“I’ll never bash anybody. He worked very hard because nobody knew who he was a few months ago,” Culliton said. “I’m going to work a whole lot harder.”

Cape Coral elections are non-partisan.

Advancing in the District 4 primary was incumbent Jennifer I.Nelson and Patty L. Cummings.

Other municipal races on the General Election ballot include the mayoral race, featuring the incumbent Mayor John Gunter and Tom Shadrach. In District 6, incumbent Keith Long will seek his first full four-year term when he faces Wayne Hecht.

Since there were only two candidates in those races, there was no primary for the seats.