Salt Lake County's popular Democratic chief executive crushed his opponent Tuesday night, as expected, but the council to whom he is beholden will have a decidedly different look come January.

With about three-fourths of precincts reporting, Salt Lake Mayor Peter Corroon had a 66 percent to 32 percent lead over Republican challenger Michael Renckert. The numbers reflect the lead that Corroon maintained throughout pre-election polls. The mayor said late Tuesday night that he was very pleased with the support voters had shown for him at the polls.

"I'm honored that the citizens of Salt Lake County would allow me to serve for another four years," Corroon said. "It is an affirmation that the policies and programs we've began should be continued."

Among the four County Council seats up for grabs, Republicans were defending three — all of which they needed to keep to maintain their 5-4 majority. Republican Council Chairman Michael Jensen was involved in one of the more contentious campaign battles for west-side District 2 with Democrat Paul Pugmire, who lambasted the incumbent for his council attendance record and efforts toward preventing a Jordan School District split. Jensen was sitting with a comfortable lead, 59-41 percent, over his challenger and said he was feeling cautiously optimistic and "upbeat" as precinct tallies continued to come in. His fellow Republican incumbent, Mark Crockett in District 4, was not comfortable, or leading, and recognized the vote did not seem to be going his way against Democrat Jani Iwamoto. Newcomer Iwamoto was ahead 55-45 percent. The District 6 seat vacated by retiring Republican Marv Hendrickson was too close to call at press time, with Republican Max Burdick leading Democrat Roger Harding by 5 percentage points.

In the sole Democratic incumbent race, Councilman-At-Large Randy Horiuchi seemed headed for a fifth term of county representation with an 11 point lead over Republican and Salt Lake County Sheriff's Capt. Steven DeBry. Horiuchi said this might have been the toughest race of his career.

"I was really humbled by this year's race," Horiuchi said. "I had incredible help from my friends, and especially from my party."

Horiuchi said a possible change in the party makeup of the council would bode well for the session ahead.

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E-mail: araymond@desnews.com