By press time, not enough precincts had been counted in the Cottonwood Heights' mayoral chase to call the race. But with 23 percent of the precincts counted, Cullimore had a 33 point lead.
While he said it wasn't appropriate to declare victory, Cullimore said he expected to win with more than 60 percent of the vote. "That would be very exciting. That would mean we've got a lot of support from the community. That's something I don't take lightly."
Bitter couldn't be reached for comment.
The new mayor will lead a city of 34,000 residents. He or she will need to help set a budget, hire employees, negotiate contracts and create ordinances.
Cottonwood Heights, south of Holladay and abutting the east bench, is Salt Lake County's 16th city. Voters overwhelmingly approved incorporation in May to end county control and give residents more say in planning and taxing.
Bitter was to spend Tuesday at honk-and-waves. Cullimore said he scaled back his campaigning because his son left on an LDS Church mission to Brazil on Tuesday.
Cullimore was expected to win based on the June primary results, in which he handily beat his four other opponents, including Bitter.
The race between the two was marked with few differences on policy matters. Instead, the emphasis was on leadership. Bitter runs a gardening store. Cullimore owns and manages the company Dynatronics Corp., which manufactures medical devices.
Both pledged not to raise taxes and to contract with Salt Lake County for police and public works. Neither wants to see more billboards. There were subtle differences. Bitter left open the option of initially contracting with the county for planning and zoning, something Cullimore opposes.
Residents also voted for four City Council members and by press time those races could not be called. Winton "Clark" Aposhian and Gordon M. Thomas vied for District 1. Scott Bracken and David Kubinski battled for District 2. Don J. Antczak and Gordon W. Nicholl fought for District 3. And Bruce T. Jones and Josh Reid contended for District 4.
