(Kate Anderson at campaign headquarters/Brianna Sacks, Neon Tommy)

Garcia, the current L.A. Unified school board president, is running for the District 2 spot. Despite being challenged by four other contenders vying for her Eastside seat, Garcia holds 55 percent of the vote, while Robert Skeels follows with 20 percent.

The teachers union, United Teachers Los Angeles, had endorsed almost every other candidate in that race with its "Anybody but Monica" campaign.

Ten candidates are competing for the chance to win one of three seats on the seven-member school board panel, and Garcia, Zimmer, Sanchez and Anderson were the top four backed by multiple advocates, including the teachers union and some well-funded groups and politicians from out of state. The race drew about $5 million from outside group donations.

The race comes at a crucial time for L.A. Unified, as the district has seen an increasing polarization between education reform advocates like Superintendent John Deasy and the Coalition for School Reform, and United Teachers Los Angeles. The sides often spar over the hiring and firing of teachers, using student test scores to evaluate teachers and the charter school movement.

SEE ALSO: LAUSD School Board Elections: The Rundown

Zimmer, backed by the teachers union, is still well ahead of Kate Anderson, an attorney and education advocate who aligns with Supt. Deasy's reformation-focused agenda.

But Anderson believes she has enough support to win.

Anderson is also backed by the Coalition for School Reform, a non-profit group  formed by Mayor Antinio Villaraigosa, is composed of parents and educators focused on reforming L.A. public schools.

Anderson said she and her campaign volunteers felt secure in the race several get out the vote efforts today.

"We've been hearing really positive things from the calls we have been making and it feels really fantastic out there," said Anderson. "Lots and lots of voters are excited about change and my campaign and they went and voted."

The parental momentum behind Anerson's campaign is another reason the mother of two believes she will pull ahead in District 4's election, which will be decided tonight.

Anderson said parents are the most important voters in this campaign, and she has a large amount pushing for her election.

"If I win this race it will be in part of the civic community," she said. "But what will push me over the edge is the parent participation."

Zimmer leads Anderson by 12 percent, a slight drop from the first bout of absentee ballot results.

Check back for more updates.

Reach Editor-At-Large Brianna Sacks here