Outsiders take early lead in Chilean presidential election

By EVA VERGARA and JOSHUA GOODMAN
Associated Press

SANTIAGO, Chile (AP) — Two outsider candidates hailing from opposite extremes of the political spectrum look headed to a runoff in Chile’s presidential election following a bruising campaign that laid bare deep social tensions in the region’s most economically advanced country. With 75% of polling centers reporting results far right lawmaker José Antonio Kast had 28% support compared to 25% for former student protest leader Gabriel Boric. If neither candidate secures a 50% majority, the two top finishers will compete in a Dec. 19 runoff. Also up for grabs is Chile’s entire 155-seat lower house of Congress and about half the Senate.