WASHINGTON (CBSDC/AP) — There will soon be a new member of the D.C. Council to replace Harry Thomas Jr., who stepped down from his Ward 5 seat after pleading guilty to embezzling more than $350,000 from the city. Kenyan McDuffie is the presumed winner of the race.

Voters in Ward 5 cast their ballots in a special election Tuesday. The winner will serve the rest of Thomas’ term, which runs through 2014.

Unofficial results with nearly half the precincts reporting had McDuffie with a commanding lead with 2,049 votes; Delano Hunter, also a Democrat, was second with 1,069 votes.

McDuffie told All-News 99.1 WNEW that thought his campaign was finishing really strong Tuesday afternoon.

Registered voters from any party were eligible to participate in the special election. Ten Democrats, one Republican and one independent were on the ballot

Barring a recount, the election results will be certified and the winner will be sworn in May 30.

(TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2012 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)