Trump-endorsed North Carolina state Senate leader loses by 23 votes

Politico
by By Aaron Pellish
March 24, 2026
2 min read

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Phil Berger, the Trump-endorsed North Carolina state Senate leader, lost his primary race by 23 votes to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.

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Phil Berger, the Republican state Senate leader in North Carolina who secured President Trump's endorsement, lost his primary race Tuesday by 23 votes to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, with both a machine recount and hand recount affirming the narrow margin. Berger has led Republicans in the state Senate since 2005, including during their 15-year tenure in the majority, and was instrumental in recent GOP power consolidations such as stripping the governor of election authority last year. The loss marks a rare stumble for Trump's endorsement record this cycle, though Trump had praised both candidates as "outstanding people" even while backing Berger in December. Page is expected to win the Republican-leaning Greensboro-area seat in November and will inherit the state Senate leadership position.

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