In a stunningly close finish to North Carolina's Republican primary for a state Senate seat, powerful Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger is trailing his challenger, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, by just two votes, according to unofficial election results released late Tuesday evening. The razor-thin margin in the 26th District race, centered in Rockingham County, has all but guaranteed a recount, as state law allows candidates to request one when the difference is no more than 1% of total votes cast. With Page garnering 13,077 votes to Berger's 13,075, the outcome hangs in the balance despite Berger's high-profile endorsement from President Donald Trump.
Berger, a longtime Republican leader who has served as Senate President Pro Tempore since 2011, has been instrumental in the party's legislative agenda in North Carolina, including spearheading redistricting efforts that solidified GOP majorities in the state legislature following the 2020 census. His campaign emphasized his close alignment with Trump, prominently featuring the president's support on his website with the declaration that he "stands with Donald Trump." The endorsement came in a February post on Truth Social, where Trump praised Berger as the "Highly Respected Leader of the North Carolina Senate for over a decade, helping us deliver massive and historic Victories across the State, including my six BIG WINS and Primaries in 2016, 2020, and 2024!"
Trump's involvement in the race extended beyond Berger. The president also reached out to Page, offering him a position in Washington, D.C., in an attempt to dissuade him from challenging Berger. Page, who has positioned himself as a staunch Trump supporter, declined the offer in December. In the same Truth Social message, Trump described Page as "GREAT" and a "longtime supporter," adding, "but I really want him to come work for us in Washington, D.C., rather than further considering a run against Phil — Both are such outstanding people!" Page, who led "Sheriffs for Trump" during the 2016 election cycle, has repeatedly called himself a "passionate supporter" of the president throughout his campaign.
The primary, held on March 5, 2024, as part of North Carolina's statewide elections, drew significant attention due to the district's rural character and the candidates' shared conservative credentials. Rockingham County, located in the northern Piedmont region near the Virginia border, is a predominantly Republican area with a population of around 90,000, known for its manufacturing history and agricultural economy. Voter turnout in the district was modest, with total votes cast hovering around 26,000, reflecting the low-key nature of the intraparty contest until the final tally.
Unofficial results were first reported by the North Carolina State Board of Elections shortly after polls closed at 7:30 p.m. EST. As of Wednesday morning, the board had not certified the outcome, and both campaigns were preparing for the recount process. Under state guidelines, the canvass period ends on March 15, but a recount could extend timelines by several days or weeks, depending on the scope of any discrepancies uncovered.
Page, a 52-year-old sheriff who has held office since 2010, framed his challenge as a grassroots effort to bring law enforcement experience to the state Senate. His campaign focused on issues like public safety, economic development in rural areas, and opposition to what he described as overreach by state leaders in Raleigh. Berger, 64, countered by highlighting his legislative achievements, including tax cuts, education reforms, and election integrity measures passed under Republican control of the General Assembly.
Both candidates sought to outdo each other in their loyalty to Trump, turning the primary into a test of MAGA credentials in a deep-red district. Page's history with the Trump campaign, including his role in mobilizing sheriffs nationwide, gave him an edge among local law enforcement supporters. Berger, meanwhile, leveraged his statewide influence and Trump's explicit backing to appeal to party loyalists who value institutional power.
The closeness of the race has sparked speculation about voter dissatisfaction with long-serving incumbents. Former Republican Governor Pat McCrory, appearing on NBC News NOW, suggested that Berger's narrow deficit might signal a broader warning for entrenched politicians. "It’s probably an example, even going back to a Mitch McCrory or some previous speakers, when you spend too much time in the State Capitol gaining power, sometimes people back home go, ‘You forgot us back home here in Rockingham County,’" McCrory said, drawing parallels to national figures like Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.
McCrory, who served as governor from 2013 to 2017 and ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2022, has remained active in North Carolina politics as a commentator and advisor. His remarks underscore a tension within the GOP between establishment figures like Berger and populist challengers like Page, who emphasize direct connections to Trump's base. In Rockingham County, where unemployment rates have hovered above the state average and opioid challenges persist, local issues may have amplified calls for fresh representation.
Berger's role in redistricting has been particularly contentious. In 2021 and 2023, maps drawn under his leadership were challenged in court for alleged gerrymandering, though federal courts largely upheld them. Critics, including Democrats and some moderate Republicans, argued the lines diluted minority voting power, while supporters hailed them as essential for maintaining conservative governance. Page did not directly attack Berger on redistricting but positioned himself as an outsider untainted by Raleigh's insider dealings.
As the recount looms, political observers in North Carolina are watching closely. The 26th District seat is crucial for GOP control of the state Senate, where Republicans hold a slim 30-20 majority heading into the general election. A Page victory could shift dynamics in the upper chamber, potentially influencing debates on abortion restrictions, Medicaid expansion, and voting laws in the 2025 legislative session.
Trump's intervention highlights his continued sway over Republican primaries, even in state-level races. Since leaving office in 2021, the former president has endorsed dozens of candidates nationwide, often tipping scales in crowded fields. In North Carolina, a battleground state that Trump won in 2024, his influence remains potent, as evidenced by his six victories in statewide contests since 2016, including presidential and senatorial primaries.
Page's campaign team expressed optimism Wednesday, with a spokesperson noting that "every vote will be counted accurately." Berger's camp, meanwhile, urged patience, stating in a release that the senator "remains committed to serving the people of Rockingham County and looks forward to the official results." Neither side has alleged irregularities, but the margin's slimness invites scrutiny of absentee and provisional ballots, which made up about 15% of the total.
Beyond the immediate stakes, the race exemplifies the GOP's internal fractures in the Trump era. While both candidates embraced the president's agenda, Page's upset potential—should it hold—might encourage more primary challenges against veteran lawmakers perceived as out of touch. As North Carolina gears up for the November general election, where the district's Republican nominee will face Democrat Kathy Manning, the primary's drama could foreshadow tougher fights ahead.
With the recount expected to begin as early as next week, residents of Rockingham County await clarity on who will carry the GOP banner. For now, the two-vote cliffhanger stands as a testament to the unpredictability of democracy, even in the quiet corners of American politics.