SAN DIEGO -- November runoff elections will be needed to determine the makeup of the San Diego City Council, with three of four races still undecided as candidates try to claim seats being vacated because of term limits.

Carl DeMaio, founder of the government watchdog group The Performance Institute, was the only person to win a City Council seat outright in Tuesday's primary election, cruising to victory over former firefighter George George to claim the District 5 post.

The District 5 seat is being vacated by termed-out Councilman Brian Maienschein. The district includes the communities of Carmel Mountain Ranch, Mira Mesa, Rancho Bernardo, Sabre Springs, Scripps Ranch and Sorrento Mesa.

The District 1 race was too close to call among three candidates, but ultimately will end up being decided in a November runoff.

The district, now held by Councilman Scott Peters, includes the communities of La Jolla, University City, Torrey Hills, Carmel Valley and Rancho Penasquitos.

Early today, Sherri Lightner led the field with 36 percent of the vote, followed by Phil Thalheimer with 34 percent and Marshall Merrifield with 30 percent.

Lightner, a retired engineer and small business owner, has served on numerous community planning groups, boards and committees, including as president of the La Jolla Town Council.

Merrifield, a municipal finance specialist, has headed or formed several area businesses.

Thalheimer is a businessman and community activist who gained notoriety for his work to preserve the cross and veterans memorial atop La Jolla's Mount Soledad.

Because no one candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be held on Nov. 4.

In District 3, Todd Gloria and Stephen Whitburn will face each other in a November runoff. John Hartley finished third in the race.

The district, now headed by Councilwoman Toni Atkins, includes the communities of City Heights, Hillcrest, Kensington, Normal Heights, North Park, South Park, Talmadge, University Heights, Balboa Park and parts of Golden Hill.

Gloria is a community representative for Rep. Susan Davis, D-San Diego, and Whitburn is a spokesman for the American Red Cross' San Diego blood division.

Hartley was on the City Council from 1989 to 1993. He recently pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor lewdness charge after he was spotted masturbating and urinating into a cup in his truck. He maintains he was simply relieving himself.

In District 7, April Boling and Marti Emerald will meet in a November runoff. The district includes Allied Gardens, parts of City Heights, the College Area, Del Cerro, Grantville, Rolando and Tierrasanta.

Emerald was a consumer fraud investigative reporter for KGTV Channel 10 for many years before seeking the City Council seat.

Boling is a certified public accountant and businesswoman, who chaired a panel under former Mayor Dick Murphy to overhaul the city's debt-ridden pension system.

Councilman Jim Madaffer now represents the City Council's District 7. He must vacate the post because of term limits.