VANCOUVER, Wash. -- City Council member Tim Leavitt is projected to win the mayor's race in Vancouver after early results showed him ahead of Mayor Royce Pollard.

FOX 12 political analyst Tim Hibbitts called the race in favor of Leavitt shortly after 10 p.m. Tuesday. Results released at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday show Leavitt with a lead of 54 percent to 46 percent over Pollard, according to Clark County Elections. Ballots are still being counted, officials said.

Pollard has been Vancouver's mayor for 14 years.

"There's a change dynamic going on with the electorate generally and secondly, sometimes 10 years (in office) can work against you," Hibbitts said. "People get tired of someone in office and say 'You know, he's done a pretty good job but maybe it's time to look at someone else.'"

Hibbitts also cited the Interstate 5 bridge project and tolling as an issue that may have swayed voters.

Leavitt said he was optimistic about the election returns, but he did not claim victory Tuesday night.

"I feel really good about the results tonight. I think this is a real message from the citizens of Vancouver that they're ready for a different attitude and a fresh perspective," Leavitt said. "And, assuming the results tonight hold, I'm looking forward to working with the City Council and bringing more voice of the citizens of Vancouver in the decision-making."

Pollard said he is staying upbeat about the results.

"I'm not prepared to give up until the last vote is counted. You know, we're going to stay very positive," Pollard said. "Tomorrow, I'll be the mayor of America's Vancouver and I hope when all the ballots are done I hope to still be the mayor of America's Vancouver."

The race in Vancouver is the most expensive of its kind in city history, with Leavitt and Pollard raising nearly $300,000 combined.

"There's been a lot of money by Vancouver, Wash., standards and I think, based on results of the primary, I think that Leavitt is the slight favorite but this is going to be pretty close," Hibbitts said.

Leavitt has served on the City Council for seven years and believes the city is ready for a change.

"As the second-largest city in the Portland metro area, we need to start behaving like a big city, and we can with fresh perspective," Leavitt said.

Pollard said Tuesday will be his last mayoral election whether he wins or loses. He plans to retire after his next term. He said voters can continue to rely on his experience.

"I have 14 years of proven leadership and 14 years of relationship that have been built up over that time," Pollard said. "And it's a proven leadership record. It's not an 'I promise you' leadership."

Pollard won four years ago with 63 percent of the vote.