Incumbents of both parties in several Anne Arundel County courthouse posts were hoping to hold on to their posts as they kept a close eye on last night's election returns - and with nearly a fifth of 195 precincts reporting, all were leading last night.

Sheriff George F. Johnson IV, a former county police sergeant strongly supported by the county's Democratic leadership, had about 57 percent of the vote over Republican challenger John E. Moran IV, a University of Maryland, Baltimore County mountain bike officer.

Johnson campaigned on what he called a record of expanding and professionalizing the sheriff's department.

Moran was hoping to get a boost from a strong showing in the county by GOP gubernatorial candidate Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. The county has more registered Democrats than Republicans, but many of those Democrats are conservative.

Clerk of Court

Clerk of the Court Robert P. Duckworth, a staunch Republican seeking his third term, had about 65 percent of the vote, over little-known Democratic challenger Michael J. Serabian Sr.

Duckworth had the most votes of any contested countrywide race four years ago. He said he expected that "Bob Ehrlich's coattails - he is running real strong in Anne Arundel County - will help us."

Serabian conceded before 10 p.m.

"We ran the cleanest race," Serabian said. "He's got it won."

Nevertheless, he said, there was a bit of unfinished business in the race.

"Bob Duckworth promised to buy me lunch, and I'm going to hold him to it," he said.

In commenting on the results, Duckworth said, "I guess the voters know who I am and that I've done a pretty good job, and they have shown a vote of confidence in me."

State's Attorney Frank R. Weathersbee, who teamed with Johnson for much of the campaign, was eyeing a fourth term and had about 52 percent in early returns. His opponent, Michael W. Burns, a Republican activist and strategist who had been turned out of his delegate's seat four years ago, said he thought the office of the prosecutor needed fresh ideas.

Orphans' Court

With six candidates running for three positions, two incumbent judges of the Orphans' Court were considered likely to return to their part-time positions. Gail J. Schaffer, chief judge, was seeking a third term and Nancy C. Phelps a second term. Both are Republicans. A third Republican, Gordon H. Witherspoon, also was leading the three Democrats.

Two sitting judges, Nancy Davis-Loomis and Paul A. Hackner, had no opposition for 15-year terms on the Circuit Court bench.

A fifth term was in the offing for Register of Wills George M. Nutwell Jr. For the second election in a row, he ran unopposed.