Phil Berger Concedes Narrow N.C. Senate Primary To Sam Page
Berger conceded after a recount left Sam Page ahead by 23 votes in the March 3 GOP primary for North Carolina's 26th Senate District.
RedStateIt's Over: Powerful North Carolina Senate Leader Concedes GOP Primary Race in Shocking Defeat
NBC NewsN.C. Senate's top Republican concedes in primary decided by 23 votes
CNNRepublican Phil Berger, one of North Carolina’s most powerful politicians, concedes state Senate primary | CNN Politics
ABC NewsNorth Carolina Senate leader, conservative architect Phil Berger concedes primary loss
Just the NewsGOP's highest-ranking NC state senator concedes primary race
Overview
Phil Berger conceded the Republican primary to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page on Tuesday, saying the voters have spoken, according to a statement.
A full machine recount and a partial hand recount confirmed Page's 23-vote lead in the March 3 primary after an initial two-vote margin on election night, according to unofficial results.
Page said Berger called to concede and urged the community to come together and focus on winning in November, according to a Page statement.
Unofficial results showed Page with 13,135 votes to Berger's 13,112, and Berger had led the state Senate for 15 years and was described as a conservative architect, according to reports.
Page will face Democrat Steve Luking in the November general election, and the state board of elections can move toward certification after Berger withdrew election protests, according to officials.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame Berger’s defeat as a significant disruption to entrenched conservative power, emphasizing his long tenure and policy imprint while still noting criticism. Editorial language like “most influential” and “shaking the power structure,” repeated focus on spending disparities and recount drama, and selection of allied and opposing voices together produce that narrative.
FAQ
Phil Berger is the long-serving North Carolina Senate President Pro Tempore since 2011, representing District 26 since 2000, and a key architect of GOP legislative efforts like tax cuts and increased General Assembly control; his narrow primary defeat by Sam Page could alter Republican leadership dynamics in the state Senate.[1]
Sam Page is the Rockingham County Sheriff since 1998, president of the N.C. Sheriff's Association, an early Trump supporter involved in his 2020 NC campaign, known for his cowboy hat and opposition to Berger's 2023 casino proposal in the county.[1]
The race was decided by a 23-vote margin after a full machine recount and partial hand recount, following an initial 2-vote lead for Page on election night, with provisional ballots widening it slightly before final confirmation; Page led strongly in Rockingham County while Berger trailed in rural Guilford areas.[1]
The key falling out was Berger's 2023 support for legislation allowing casinos in North Carolina, including one in Rockingham County for economic benefits, which Page and many local residents opposed, contributing to voter discontent.[1]
Sam Page will face Democrat Steve Luking in the November general election for NC Senate District 26, with election certification now proceeding after Berger withdrew protests.[1]
