Most incumbent state lawmakers, including some of House Speaker Glenn Richardson's top lieutenants, seemed heading for primary victories Tuesday.

Many of them face no general election opposition, so their primary victories guarantee them another term.

Among those heading for another term were House Rules Chairman Earl Ehrhart (R-Powder Springs) and House Appropriations Chairman Ben Harbin (R-Evans). Both appeared to win handily, and they have no Democratic opposition.

In one of the most closely watched GOP primaries, House Science and Technology Chairman Amos Amerson (R-Dahlonega) looked to win another term by beating Dahlonega businessman Steve Gooch. Amerson was backed by Richardson. Gooch is a friend of Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Richardson's statehouse rival.

Amerson had followed Richardson's lead in calling for Cagle's ouster as the Senate's president. Gooch had depicted Amerson as a Richardson pawn.

House Defense and Veterans Affairs Chairman John Yates (R-Griffin) also appeared headed for another term.

One loss for Richardson was House Energy, Utilities and Telecommunications Chairman Jeff Lewis (R-White). He lost to retired banker Paul Battles. Battles had made it a point in his campaign to say, if elected, that he would vote against keeping Richardson as speaker when lawmakers pick the House's leaders in January.

Embattled Grady Memorial Hospital Chief Executive Officer Pam Stephenson (D-Decatur), whose $1.2 million two-year contract has raised calls for state investigation, appeared headed for another term in the state House. She held a substantial lead over retired transit manager George Turner in the early vote count.

In the Senate, Veterans and Military Affairs Chairman John Douglas (R-Social Circle) appeared to be hammering former Sen. Mike Crotts of Covington, while Senate Education Chairman Dan Weber (R-Dunwoody) and Senate Ethics Chairwoman Renee Unterman (R-Buford) looked headed for primary victories.

Sen. Jeff Chapman (R-Brunswick), who was both praised and vilified for fighting the redevelopment of Jekyll Island, appeared to be heading to another term as well.

Sen. Bill Cowsert (R-Athens), one of Gov. Sonny Perdue's floor leaders, also won his primary. He faces Bogart lawyer Sherry Jackson in the general election.

A few races appeared headed for runoff, including those involving Sen. Nancy Schaefer (R-Tunerville) and Sen. Gail Davenport (D-Jonesboro).