(The Center Square) – Sen. Phil Berger, leader of the upper chamber in the North Carolina General Assembly since 2011, conceded to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page in the Republican primary for District 26 late Tuesday afternoon.
Page led by two votes on primary Election Night, and 23 following canvass and two recounts including a sample hand-to-eye earlier in the day.
“While this was a close race, the voters have spoken, and I congratulate Sheriff Page on his victory,” Berger said in a statement. “Looking ahead, I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the short session to ensure North Carolina continues to be the best state in the nation in which to live, work, raise a family, and retire.”
The Senate president pro tempore had a significant funding advantage and the endorsement of second-term Republican President Donald Trump as advantages. Page, fifth in the Republican primary for lieutenant governor two years ago, expressed gratitude to the fellow Eden resident after a contentious campaign battle.
Final tally posted to the State Board of Elections was Page 13,135-13,112. Page claimed their home county of Rockingham, all of which is in the district, 9,065-4,526. In Guilford, where most of the county sans Greensboro and High Point is included, Berger’s edge was 8,586-4,070.
“I appreciate Senator Berger’s call earlier today and his concession,” Page said in a statement. “I’m grateful for his years of service to our state, and I thank him for wishing me the best moving forward. This was a hard-fought campaign, and I’m honored that the voters of Guilford and Rockingham counties placed their trust in me. Now it’s time for our community to come together and focus on winning in November.”
Considered one of, if not the, most powerful positions in Raleigh, Berger’s leadership of the Senate will continue until his term ends. Then comes a reconstruction.
The Senate’s Republican leadership team behind Berger includes Sens. Ralph Hise of Mitchell County, deputy president pro tempore; Michael Lee of New Hanover County, majority leader; and Amy Galey of Alamance County and Todd Johnson of Union County, both majority whips.
Each aligned with Trump on policy. The clash was on a proposal that could have landed a casino in their home county. Berger was for it, Page against. Berger eventually stopped pursuit of the project.
While Trump gave the endorsement to Berger, Page was far from distanced. He helped found Sheriffs for Trump in 2016, visited him in 2017 at the White House, and in 2020 helped with his reelection campaign. He declined a job from the president in December in order to remain in the race, saying he could be more effective on home turf rather than in the Beltway.
In a statement, House Speaker Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, said, “Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger has been a true titan of conservative leadership in North Carolina. For more than two decades, Senator Berger has been a stalwart champion of limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the values that have made North Carolina a beacon for families and businesses.
“North Carolina is stronger, freer, and more prosperous today thanks to Senator Berger’s leadership, and that legacy will endure well into the future, shaping our state for generations to come.”
On social media, first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein wrote in part, “I congratulate Sheriff Page on his victory and commend Senator Berger for his service. While we didn’t always see eye to eye on the issues of the day, I appreciate Senator Berger’s deep love for North Carolina.
“I look forward to working with him and other leaders in the General Assembly in the coming weeks to pass a comprehensive, fiscally responsible budget that invests in our state’s people.”
