North Carolina state Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger is running two votes behind his primary challenger, Sam Page, despite having the endorsement of President Donald Trump, according to unofficial state election results.
The razor thin tally will likely prompt a recount, which a candidate can request when the margin is no more than 1% of the total votes cast.
Berger, who helped lead Republicans’ redistricting efforts in the state, was challenged by Page, the sheriff of Rockingham County. Unofficial results indicate that Page secured 13,077 votes, while Berger trailed with 13,075 votes.
Trump waded into the race, offering Page a job — which the sheriff said in December he declined — and endorsing Berger.
“Phil Berger has served 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 said in a February Truth Social post.
In the same post, Trump said that Page “is GREAT,” adding that the sheriff “has been a longtime supporter, 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!”
Both candidates tried to tie themselves closely with the president. Berger touted Trump’s endorsement and emphasized on his campaign website that he “stands with Donald Trump.” Page led “Sheriffs for Trump” in 2016, and he called himself a “passionate supporter” of the president.
Former Gov. Pat McCrory, a Republican, suggested on NBC News NOW that Berger, the “most powerful” state senator, could be an example for top legislators who lose touch with their districts.
“It’s probably an example, even going back to a Mitch McConnell 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.
