Pittenger, Dalton win primary races for lieutenant governor

RALEIGH (AP) -- A pair of state senators seeking higher office will meet in November to see which of them will be the next lieutenant governor.

Republican Robert Pittenger and Democrat Walter Dalton took their respective primaries Tuesday night in the marquee race among Council of State offices.

Pittenger beat three Republicans hoping to win the state's No. 2 post. Dalton beat three Democrats, including Durham attorney Hampton Dellinger.

There was a labor commissioner primary in which none of the four candidates were able to claim more than 30 percent of the vote. Mary Fant Donnan led with 28 percent of the vote.

In the superintendent for public instruction races, incumbent June Atkinson won the Democratic primary, while former state House co-speaker Richard Morgan won the GOP race.

Other winners in Council of State Democratic primary races included: Wayne Goodwin for insurance commissioner; Beth Wood for auditor; and state Sen. Janet Cowell for treasurer.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)