North Carolina State Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger is two votes behind his primary rival, Sam Page, despite having the endorsement of President Donald Trump, according to unofficial state election results.
The narrow margin will likely prompt a recount.
Berger, who helped lead Republican redistricting efforts in the state, was challenged by Page, the Rockingham County sheriff. Unofficial results indicate that Page earned 13,077 votes, while Berger trailed with 13,075 votes.
Trump entered the race, offering Page a job (which the sheriff said in December he turned down) and endorsing Berger.
“Phil Berger has served as the highly respected leader of the North Carolina Senate for more than a decade, helping us achieve massive, historic victories across the state, including my six BIG WINS and primaries in 2016, 2020 and 2024.” Trump said in a Truth Social post from February.
In the same post, Trump said Page “is GREAT,” adding that the sheriff “has been a long-time supporter, but I really want him to come work for us in Washington, DC, instead of considering a run against Phil. They are both such outstanding people!”
Both candidates attempted to bond closely with the president. Berger touted Trump’s endorsement, emphasizing on his campaign website that he “supports Donald Trump.” Page led “Sheriffs for Trump” in 2016 and called himself a “passionate supporter” of the president.
Former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory suggested on NBC News NOW that Berger, the “most powerful” state senator, could be an example to top lawmakers who lose touch with their districts.
“It’s probably an example, even going back to Mitch McConnell or some previous speakers, when you spend too much time in the state Capitol gaining power, sometimes people at home say, ‘You forgot us here in Rockingham County,’” McCrory said.
