With a dwindling pool of votes to count before the Aug. 6 Auburn City Council Position 5 primary is certified, it appears safe to say that the names on the general election ballot this November will be Robyn Mulenga and Ryan Burnett.

According to the combined King and Pierce County results, as of Tuesday afternoon, Aug. 13, Mulenga had 3,348 votes (38.33 percent) to Burnett’s 3,033 (34.73 percent).

Antony Asé trailed both with 2,278 (26.08 percent) out of the 6,6,374. votes counted to date.

Mulenga has been a member of the Auburn School District Board since 2014 and works for the federal government in land contracts. Burnett, for 19 years a restaurant manager and a chef, was an inaugural member of Mayor Nancy Backus’ new jobs task force. Ase is a math teacher.

“I am pleased that the Auburn community came out and showed their support. I am looking forward to the final results,” Mulenga said.

Burnett was thrilled with the numbers, and eager to get to work on the fall campaign.

”This is just the beginning, and the results tell me I have work to do. Expect to see me out in the community, knocking on doors, attending community events so that I can hear what the community has to say,” Burnett said.

Ase did not respond to a request for comment.

Position 5 is the only council contest of three that drew more than two applicants, mandating a primary. Two-term incumbent John Holman is not running for re-election.

Candidates for the remaining City Council positions are: Position 1: Christopher Stearns, unopposed; Position 3: James Jeyaraj vs. Ken Pearson; and Position 7: incumbent Bob Baggett vs. Vera Orlandic-Hodak.