To overcome the lead by challenger Egan Orion, the incumbent District 3 council member must close a large margin in late ballots, which tend to lean left.
Gossett, the civil rights icon who has been a mainstay on the council for 25 years, was trailing by 14 points on Tuesday night. Fellow Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles was winning decisively.
The first few days of ballot-counting have brought clarity to some crowded races.
Two ballot measures will decide the future of affirmative action and car-tab fees in Washington state. Meanwhile, a local legend fights to keep his seat.
A new rule, set to take effect Dec. 2, would make it more difficult for green card holders to apply for U.S. citizenship.
