With 98 percent of precincts reporting in Tuesday's Democratic primary, incumbent Fulton Sheriff Myron Freeman appeared headed for a runoff.

Days after being criticized by a federal judge and a federal jail monitor, Freeman led a field of nine opponents.

With 340 of 347 precincts counted, Freeman had 30 percent of the votes.

In an Aug. 5 showdown, Freeman will likely face retired FBI agent Ted Jackson, who briefly served as interim sheriff in 2004.

Jackson had 17 percent of the votes in Tuesday's primary, followed closely be retired East Point police Chief Frank L. Brown, who received 15 percent of the votes.

The winner of the Aug. 5 runoff will face Republican Michael Rary in the Nov. 4 general election.

Freeman has been battered politically in the past few years over allegations of incompetence and nepotism. A recent report by a federal monitor said Freeman seemed overwhelmed by the task of complying with a federal consent order issued about 2-1/2 years ago. Freeman said the department is making progress in meeting court orders. Federal Judge Marvin Shoob on Friday ordered Freeman to appear in two weeks to explain why he shouldn't face contempt charges for failing to fix the jail.

In the Fulton County Superior Court Clerk's race, incumbent Catherine "Tina" Robinson held a commanding lead over her three opponents, but still did not have a decisive majority and will be headed for a runoff. With 98 percent of the precincts reporting, Robinson received 47 percent of the votes, while 21 percent of the ballots were cast for runner-up Lewis L. Pittman.

Robinson is seeking her first election. She was the hand-picked successor to Juanita Hicks, who retired early in the current term. Robinson has been criticized for giving Hicks a lucrative consulting contract. Her opponents claimed the clerk's office is inefficient. Robinson campaigned on her long experience in the office and vowed to improve customer service.

Tax Commissioner Arthur Ferdinand, seeking his fourth term, held an overwhelming 64 percent lead over challenger John Stewart, a fomer executive with Gulf Oil Corp. and the state Department of Transportation. Republic candidates for surveyor and sheriff had no primary opposition.