After counting everything except absentee ballots turned in on election day, Darrell Fong is leading by 373 votes.

As of 11:20 p.m., District 7 City Council candidate Ryan Chin said the results were way too close to call. The most recent update he had to reference showed Chin at 49 percent and Fong with 51 percent.

“There are lots of other ballots to be counted still,” Chin said.

If Chin does lose, he said he’ll go back to doing what he’s always done:

“I’ll make sure I’m working in the community, making sure that I’m raising funds for scholarships for kids going into college or vocational training, or helping with our youth conference and lending my talents and abilities to the community.”

When asked if he had any comments for Fong, he replied, “I’m really glad that we ran a clean campaign. I know we both worked very hard.”

He also said he wanted to take the opportunity “to get out the word about how grateful I am for all the support I’ve received and all the support to all the people who’ve worked so hard on my campaign.”

A look at Chin’s election party

After a busy day of phoning voters, Ryan Chin and 40 of his supporters gathered at his campaign headquarters, 6387 Riverside Blvd., to celebrate his city council run.

Campaign posters filled the walls and food filled the tables while the men, women and children patiently awaited the results.

Chin said that his campaigning has been great.

"We've worked really hard – myself, my volunteers, my community support – campaigning has been tremendous. We're really excited that we're finally here. It's really been a learning experience, but it's been really exciting,” Chin said.

“Today we started out at 7:30 in the morning,” he added. “By 9 p.m. we were doing the poll checks and came back, did some phoning. We had to make sure that our voters got out.

“I walked the precincts a bit, going door to door, just making sure that people got out. We've ... done a really good job at building a base of support ... If I had to tell you, I'm optimistic. It's a great feeling to know that we've got the support out there that we do," Chin said.

His wife, Alice, was a big part of the campaign efforts.

"I've spent all day contacting our supporters and reminding them to get out to vote and thanking them for their incredible support. Campaigning has been a really amazing experience,” she said.

Sacramento City College student Diana Julaton has been volunteering for Chin’s campaign for the past few weeks.

"I've been volunteering to phone bank and help him get votes in, she said. “I've also walked precincts, so we've just been around houses dropping off hangers and asking for their support.

"I believe Ryan Chin is going to win,” she added. “He's a really good guy and I think a lot of people are willing to help him do it. I'm very supportive of the fact that he wants to invest in helping out the youth and volunteering funds for education and I hope he wins."

Sacramento State student Peng Lee, who lives in Elk Grove, was also at Chin’s party.

"I really support him,” Lee said. “I support that he's going to make a change in the district, and I'm looking forward to what's going to happen because I know it's going to be great."