North Carolina’s political landscape has been dramatically reshaped following the concession of Republican state Senate leader Phil Berger, the state’s most influential politician, in his primary race.
Berger, a long-standing conservative architect, conceded to Sam Page on Tuesday, an outcome that will likely end his preeminence and shake the power structure in the ninth-largest state.
Berger had trailed Page, the Rockingham County sheriff, by a mere 23 votes in their March 3 primary. He has served as Senate leader since 2011, a period marking the first time Republicans gained full control of the General Assembly in 140 years.
Donald Trump had endorsed Berger for reelection, commending his policy accomplishments. This endorsement came weeks after the legislature redrew the state’s U.S. House district map, an effort to flip a Democratic seat as part of Trump’s redistricting campaign aimed at retaining GOP control of the U.S. House in this year’s midterm elections.
"While this was a close race, the voters have spoken, and I congratulate Sheriff Page on his victory," Berger stated in a news release. "Over the past 15 years, Republicans in the General Assembly have fundamentally redefined our state’s outlook and reputation. It has been an honor."
Unofficial results on primary election night initially showed Page leading Berger by just two votes out of more than 26,000 cast in the 26th Senate District, which encompasses parts of Greensboro and surrounding areas. Page’s lead subsequently expanded as election boards in the district’s two counties reviewed provisional, absentee, and other ballots. Despite later recounts and formal protests filed by Berger’s campaign that remain unresolved, Berger ultimately conceded after a hand recount of a small ballot portion on Tuesday morning confirmed no change in Page's razor-thin lead.
Page will now advance to the November general election in the GOP-leaning district. He confirmed that Berger called him Tuesday to concede. "I thank him for wishing me the best moving forward," Page said in a statement. "Now it’s time for our community to come together and focus on winning in November."
Page’s campaign was significantly outspent by Berger’s, by more than 50-to-1 through mid-February, not including millions spent by a pro-Berger independent expenditure group on mailers and advertising. Berger, a 73-year-old attorney, can remain a senator and Senate leader through the end of the year, a role he indicated he wished to continue in his concession. Senators are slated to pick a new chamber leader in early 2027.
Berger has been a dominant force in North Carolina government, steering the General Assembly to implement a rightward agenda despite opposition from a succession of mostly Democratic governors, whose inherent powers are relatively weak. Page, first elected sheriff in 1998, capitalized on local voter discontent, framing Berger as more focused on state-level issues than on constituent needs. Berger’s unsuccessful 2023 efforts to pass a law that could have brought a casino to Rockingham County also alienated social conservatives, providing an opening for Page.
In December, while endorsing Berger, Donald Trump had praised Page and expressed a desire for the sheriff to "come work for us in Washington, D.C." rather than run against Berger. Page, who had previously supported Trump’s immigration enforcement policies, declined the offer.
Berger first joined the Senate in 2001, serving as minority leader before the GOP sweep in the 2010 elections. He has been central to every conservative policy prescription since, including income tax reductions, universal private-school vouchers, abortion restrictions, and looser gun access regulations. Berger’s allies credit him with charting economic success for the state of 11 million residents. With support from the House speaker, Berger also spearheaded efforts to shift appointment powers away from Democratic Governor Josh Stein and Governor Roy Cooper toward lawmakers and other officials. Despite clashes with Cooper, Berger and then-Speaker Tim Moore eventually brokered a deal to expand Medicaid to hundreds of thousands of adults.
Berger’s critics, however, contend his agenda disproportionately benefited the wealthy, suppressed salary increases for state employees and teachers, and inadequately funded public schools while diverting money to private institutions. Democrats have also accused Republicans of eroding rights for women and transgender individuals.
Chris Cooper, a political science professor at Western Carolina University, noted in an email on Tuesday, "Given Berger’s longevity and his ability and willingness to quietly but effectively wield power and you are left with the most powerful politician in North Carolina." The General Assembly’s chief work session for 2026 is set to begin in April, a period when Berger’s top lieutenants are expected to begin vying to succeed him as Senate leader, should the GOP maintain its majority in the fall. The chamber’s 50 members elect a leader every two years.
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