Incumbent Ed Musgrove and newcomer Danielle LeBlang had early leads in San Marcos City Council races Tuesday. Measure Q, the one-cent sales tax increase estimated to bring in $20 million to help balance an ongoing city budget deficit, was ahead of the simple majority needed for passage in early returns. The measure had solid support from council candidates — all four told the Union-Tribune that it has their support. In addition to balancing the budget and finding better ways to handle homelessness, increasing the local supply of affordable housing and finding better ways to manage local traffic were the main issues among those seeking to fill the two council seats on the ballot this year. Musgrove, who started the night with a commanding lead, seeks his first re-election to retain his District 4 seat, which covers ground largely north of state Route 78, including Palomar College. A retired San Diego County sheriff’s captain, he served as station commander in the organization’s Santee office. His challenger is Natasha Zander Hilmes, an instructor in Extended Learning at Cal State San Marcos. Two newcomers are facing off for the council’s District 3 seat, which includes properties generally south of SR-78, including Cal State San Marcos. Term limits prevented incumbent Sharon Jenkins from seeking re-election. Her departure opens the way for newcomers Alan Geraci or LeBlang, both attorneys. Geraci, now in private practice handling trusts and estates, previously served as head trial and appellate prosecutor for the city of San Diego. LeBlang worked in defense litigation in Chicago and New York before moving to San Marcos in 2016 and focusing on raising her two young children.