A retired banking executive last night grabbed the early lead against a member of Gov. Linda Lingle's administration in the battle for the Big Island House seat being vacated by Rep. Josh Green.

Democratic candidate Denny Coffman, a retired bank manager and computer technology specialist, garnered more than half the votes, according to tally of early walk-in and some mail-in votes.

Republican Andy Smith, Lingle's West Hawai'i liaison, trailed by roughly 10 percentage points.

The two were hoping to fill the District 6 (N. Kona, Keauhou, Kailua, Kona) seat that Green, a Democrat, left to run successfully for Senate.

For Smith, 34, this was his third try for public office. He has been Lingle's West Hawai'i liaison since 2002 and runs an organization that helps high-school athletes get college scholarships.

Republicans considered him an appealing candidate in a conservative-leaning district and targeted the race as one in which the party could pick up a seat. Coffman, 63, was running for public office for the first time.

He spent more than 30 years in the computer, network technology and banking fields. Since arriving in Hawai'i in 2004, he has been active in community groups and Democratic politics.

Smith raised roughly $40,000 for the race, according state campaign records. Coffman raised nearly $23,000.