Democrats Mary McAllister of Fayetteville and Drew Saunders of Huntersville, and Republicans Joe Boylan of Pinehurst and Karen Ray of Mooresville all lost their races to primary challengers, according to unofficial results.

McAllister, a nine-term House member, had come under scrutiny last year when the State Board of Elections ordered her to pay a penalty of nearly $17,000 for improper financial transactions related to her campaign funds.

In unofficial results with all precincts reporting, McAllister had 49 percent of the vote, compared with 51 percent for challenger Elmer Floyd, a local civil rights leader. Floyd faces no opposition in the general election.

Saunders, a candidate for House speaker just one year ago, was ousted by Nick Mackey, according to unofficial results that showed Mackey received 53 percent of the vote and Saunders got 47 percent, with all but one precinct reporting.

Mackey had high name recognition after winning a special Democratic election for Mecklenburg sheriff late last year. State party officials threw out the results of that race, and county commissioners ultimately chose someone else as sheriff.

With all precincts reporting, Southern Pines businessman Jamie Boles received 46 percent of the vote, and retired Army Col. Lane Toomey had 28 percent to Boylan's 25 percent.

Boylan, who a month ago was charged with driving while impaired, won his seat in 2006 after he benefited from animosity surrounding a power-sharing between his predecessor and House Democrats. These days, the widespread enmity between GOP moderates and conservatives has dwindled compared with the 2004 and 2006 House Republican primaries.

And Ray, a third-term House member, lost to Grey Mills, 51 percent to 49 percent, with all precincts reporting.

Snow Hill Mayor Don Davis and State Board of Education member Kathy Taft appeared headed for a runoff in the primary to compete for the Democratic nomination. They are competing for the seat being vacated by John Kerr of Wayne County, who is retiring. With all precincts reporting, Davis received 36 percent and Taft had 24 percent.

A runoff appeared likely for Rep. Kenny Furr, an Albemarle Republican, after unofficial returns showed him second to Justin Burr, with all precincts reporting. Burr had 37 percent, compared with 33 percent for Furr, who was appointed in August to succeed Rep. David Almond, who resigned.

Former state Sen. Bob Rucho edged Charlotte City Councilman Andy Dulin 51 percent to 49 percent for the GOP nomination to replace Sen. Robert Pittenger, a Charlotte Republican who claimed his party's nomination for lieutenant governor. Rucho faces no opposition in the fall.

Convicted felon and former Rep. Thomas Wright, a Democrat from Wilmington who was expelled from the legislature earlier this year, lost to the former Wilmington City Council member appointed by Gov. Mike Easley to serve out his term. Sandra Spaulding Hughes had 74 percent of the vote with 81 precincts reporting, to 10 percent for Wright, who is serving time for his April conviction for fraud.