WASHINGTON (AP) -- Vote counting is under way in the District of Columbia primary and mayoral challenger Vincent Gray is leading in the early results in the Democratic race.

With 23 percent of precincts reporting, Gray had 11,953 votes, or 54 percent, compared to 9,847 votes for Mayor Adrian Fenty, or 45 percent.

Fenty is trying to fend off a challenge from Gray, the chairman of the District of Columbia Council. Because the city is heavily Democratic, the winner of the primary will likely become mayor.

WASHINGTON, D.C. (WUSA) -- The final evening of a mayoral primary campaign that has become a referendum on the leadership of incumbent Adrian Fenty saw Fenty and chief challenger, City Council Chairman Vincent Gray, making a final appeal for votes across the city.

Gray, planning to stop campaigning in time to catch at least some of a network football game, met commuters at a SW METRO station saying his campaign has become far more than a vehicle for an anti-Fenty vote. Poll show him with a comfortable lead, prompting reporters to ask if a victory Tuesday means he won instead of meaning Fenty lost.

"Certainly I would like to think that I won. We've heard people in many instances talk about anybody but Fenty, we'll vote for another candidate.

WASHINGTON, DC (WUSA) -- A poll by Clarus Research Group released late Wednesday afternoon shows City Council Chairman Vincent Gray with a comfortable lead over incumbent Mayor Adrian Fenty in the Democratic primary election that will be held next Tuesday.

The Clarus poll shows Gray with an seven-point lead among likely Democratic voters with Gray ahead 45 to 38 percent.

The poll shows a racial divide among Democratic voters, with Gray leading Fenty 62 percent to 17 percent among African American voters and Fenty leading Gray 68 percent to 22 percent among White voters.

"I think what's fascinating about the poll, three things:

Number one: the incumbent mayor has consistently run behind this challenger.

"Number two: a deep racial divide in the electorate and

"Number three: the importance of election-day turnout, which will ultimately determine the winner," said Ron Faucheux of the Clarus Poll.