RALEIGH, N.C. — Secretary of State Elaine Marshall and Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry fought off primary challenges Tuesday as voters sorted out Council of State tickets for the November general election.

Marshall, a Democrat seeking a third term, easily outdistanced Doris Sanders of Raleigh,

a former employee in her office, in Democratic primary balloting.

In the GOP race for labor commissioner,

Berry beat Lloyd Funderburk, of Matthews.

GOP primary winners included Jim Snyder in the primary for lieutenant governor, and Leslie Merritt in the auditor's primary.

In the Republican insurance commissioner's primary, C. Robert Brawley defeated Cindy Huntsberry.

In the open competition for state schools superintendent, Bill Fletcher took the GOP nomination over Jeanne Smoot.

In the Democratic race, June Atkinson and Marshall Stewart advanced to a runoff.