In the contest for the seat currently held by Charles Bullock, Bullock finished first in unofficial returns, followed by Gary W. Ragland, 61, a lawyer from Clayton.

Primaries are nonpartisan and intended to narrow the field to no more than two candidates per seat facing off in November.

The judgeship was created by the legislature last year for Harnett, Johnston and Lee counties. Bullock, 36, a former assistant district attorney in Johnston County who lives in Coats, was appointed to the bench by Gov. Mike Easley this year.

In the contest for the District 11 seat currently held by George Murphy, Murphy will face Paul A. Holcombe III, 39, an assistant district attorney, in November.

Murphy, 61, who lives in Benson, was appointed to the bench in 2002 and elected in 2004.

District Court judges rule on a large volume of cases that include divorce, child custody and financial disputes involving less than $10,000. They also handle criminal misdemeanors and cases of juvenile delinquency. The judges have four-year terms.