Joe Deets has put a bit of sunshine between himself and Kevin Fetterly, his opponent in the District 7, North Ward race for the Bainbridge Island City Council.

Deets was winning in the first vote tally — 65 percent to 34 percent — announced late Tuesday night.

According to the Kitsap County Election Division, Deets has collected 3,102 votes so far, while Fetterly has picked up 1,643.

Both candidates are taking their first shot at elected office.

The winner will take the oath of office at the end of the year, and begin serving on the seven-member council in January.

Deets, a consultant for a solar energy firm, also cofounded the nonprofit Community Energy Solutions, an activist nonprofit that helped create clean energy projects and programs across Washington state.

An island resident since 2000, Deets, who is 60, promised to focus on government accountability and transparency if elected.

Fetterly, 63, is an electrical engineer and an 18-year Bainbridge resident. He was opposed to the city’s proposed takeover of Puget Sound Energy, and promised to pull the plug on other financially questionable projects such as the Highway 305 pedestrian bridge.

The winner of the Deets-Fetterly matchup will take the council position now held by Councilman Val Tollefson, who decided against running for a second term.