FOLLY BEACH — Early returns in the race for mayor were pointing to a runoff between a realtor seeking to overturn the city’s short-term rental cap and a councilman who has defended it as a compromise.

Elton Culpepper, a real estate agent known for his colorful Hawaiian shirts, led the five-person field at press time with 37 percent of the vote, with first-term Councilman Chris Bizzell close behind at 31 percent.

Longtime City Councilman D.J. Rich was in third at 18 percent and was continually checking his cellphone as results ticked in on election night.

Katherine Houghton, in her second term on council, was in distant fourth with 9 percent support. Ann Peets, a member of the city’s Board of Zoning Appeals, had 4 percent.

If the race remains this tight after the votes are all counted a

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