“It’s not over until it’s over,” Chavez told a crowd of supporters gathered at O’Niell’s, adding, “but it doesn’t look good for our side.” In what wasn’t officially a concession speech, Chavez said he had spoken to Richard “R.J.” Berry and the two had agreed to have lunch Wednesday.

Meanwhile, at the the Sheraton Uptown, state Rep. Richard “R.J.” Berry told a crowd of cheering supporters, “The numbers are looking good right now.”

With 148 out of 186 precincts reporting, Berry leads Chavez 42.72 percent to 35.19 percent. Former state Senate Pro Tem Richard Romero trails with just 21.89 percent of the vote.

If Berry does hold on to stay above 40 percent, he will avoid a runoff with Chavez and will be Albuquerque’s next mayor.

Berry supporters were loud and boisterous, applauding the numbers scrolling across the television in the Sheraton Uptown. At O’Neill’s, Chavez supporters were nearly crying as the incumbent mayor made his way out of the bar to his election headquarters across the street.

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