Rasham Nassar was leading incumbent Bainbridge Island Councilman Wayne Roth in the first tally of votes on Election Night for the District 5, Central Ward seat on the city council.

In the first vote tally, Nassar had 56.9 percent of the vote, and Roth, 43 percent.

The actual count was Nassar ahead, 2,738 votes-2,072 votes.

Three council seats were up for grabs in the 2017 General Election.

Roth was the only incumbent seeking re-election; Roger Townsend and Val Tollefson both decided against running for a second term. Townsend is a South Ward councilman, while Tollefson was elected from the North Ward.

Roth, 74, is a 20-year-plus Bainbridge resident, and retired four years ago from KUOW Puget Sound Public Radio, where he had been president and general manager.

Nassar, 34, is a newcomer to Bainbridge and has lived here since 2012. She runs an organic farm with her husband, and also owns her own business, Bainbridge Island Soap Company.

Roth based his campaign on his experience on the council and in public service.

Nassar, however, focused on a mantra of change. She drew sharp distinctions between herself and Roth’s support for the controversial bike/pedestrian bridge over Highway 305 and his desire to pay for a new police station with non-voted bonds. Nassar wants the cost of the police station project to be cut back and has called for a public vote on the proposal.

The next vote count is scheduled for late Wednesday.