Freshman Democratic Rep. Sharon Har last night took an early but commanding lead in her bid to retain her state House seat against a Republican challenger who touted his grass-roots approach.

With early walk-in votes and a big chunk of mail-in votes reported, Har received 69.4 percent of the total, compared with 27.3 percent tallied by Jack Legal, a first-time candidate.

In making her pitch to District 40 voters, Har, 38, an attorney who was first elected in 2006, cited the more than $300 million in state construction funding she helped get for the fast-growing Kapolei area, where traffic is a major concern.

Being part of the majority party at the Legislature means being able to deliver for constituents, she said. "That's just the way it works."

Law, 58, who runs a realty business, said he was better able to represent the district's needs, noting that his opponent is supported by unions and other special-interest groups.

"My approach is grassroots," he said.

Har raised nearly $43,000 for her campaign, while Law collected close to $30,000, according to state records.

Kapolei resident Sue Masu, 61, a food services worker, said she voted for Har because of what she has accomplished during her first term. "She seems to be doing good," Masu said.

Julia Porter, 31, another Kapolei resident, said she backed Legal largely because of what she saw each day when heading to work in recent weeks.

"Every morning when I'm leaving, I see him on the corner," waving a sign, Porter said.