The North Carolina GOP state senate primary for District 26 between long-time Senate leader Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page ended in a stunningly close result that highlights fractures in the party, outside interference, and local issues that changed the race. This piece lays out the background on both men, why the contest tightened to a two-vote margin, the role of outside spending and crossover voting, and what procedural steps remain before a final outcome is settled.
Phil Berger has been a fixture in the North Carolina General Assembly since 2001 and became State Senate leader in 2011, earning a reputation as the most powerful figure in state politics. Over his tenure he pushed conservative priorities like redistricting, tougher crime policies, support for the Second Amendment, cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, limits on DEI in public schools, more oversight of higher education, pro-life and anti-trans positions, and moves to strengthen the legislature vis-a-vis the governor. His standing drew endorsements and significant financial backing that would normally make him the favorite in a GOP primary.
Sam Page, by contrast, built his reputation locally over nearly three decades as Rockingham County sheriff, projecting a tough-on-crime image and deep community roots that translate into strong name recognition in the district. He served in the Air Force and even ran for lieutenant governor in 2024, finishing fifth in the GOP primary, but his reach remained most powerful at home. Page’s campaign raised and spent far less than Berger’s, yet he ran a hard-fought race that capitalized on local issues and personal popularity.
The contest narrowed dramatically in part because of a controversial casino proposal Berger backed in 2023, a plan that would have allowed for four additional casinos in the state and included a site in Rockingham County. Many residents rejected that idea, and Page used local opposition as a flashpoint to paint Berger as out of step with community priorities. That dispute deepened personal animosity and, as one report put it, the two “can’t stand each other,” a line that captures how personal this primary became.
Outside groups and crossover voters also shaped the race. Democrats and affiliated special interest groups reportedly urged crossover voting to support Page as a means of undermining Berger, and that kind of external meddling rattles GOP voters who want party control preserved. Berger’s campaign documented Democratic involvement and suggested organized efforts helped tilt the balance, raising questions about which voters should decide a Republican primary’s outcome.
President Trump at one point offered political support to Berger, and Berger had Trump’s endorsement in this cycle, which in many Republican contests would be decisive. Page, while not carrying an official Trump endorsement, has been a longtime backer of the former president and at times benefited from informal alignment with Trump’s positions. Those mixed signals added another layer of complexity for conservative voters deciding between institutional power and local populist appeal.
When the initial tabulation landed with Page ahead by just two votes, the tiny margin quickly set off the standard cascade of procedural actions in a tight contest: provisional ballots, overseas and absentee ballots, and the looming possibility of a recount if the margin stays within one percentage point. Either campaign that finishes second is likely to request review or recounts, and the path to a certified winner could take weeks as election officials wade through outstanding ballots and potential challenges.
The narrow margin also raises larger strategic questions for the state GOP. If Berger ultimately loses the seat, the legislature will feel a change in power dynamics, and Republicans will need to reckon with how internal disputes and outside interference can cost critical races. The episode shows that even long-serving leaders can be vulnerable when local issues mobilize voters and when partisan opponents target primaries to influence outcomes.
Beyond the immediate procedural steps, the contest spotlights how political grudges and policy fights — like the casino debate — can override traditional advantages such as incumbency and big fundraising hauls. A candidate with deep local ties and a reputation as a tough county sheriff can cut into a well-funded incumbent’s support, especially when voters perceive that their community’s interests are at stake.
At the moment, the official count stands with Page ahead by two votes and both campaigns are preparing for the next phase, which will include validation of provisional and absentee ballots and almost certainly legal and procedural wrangling. If the margin remains razor thin after those additions, expect a recount and potential court challenges that could echo earlier contested statewide fights in the state.
For Republicans and conservative activists watching the state legislature, this primary is a warning: party unity and attention to local concerns matter. The result, final or provisional, will shape how leaders approach intra-party disputes and outside interference in the months ahead as state and national races heat up once more.
Berger and Page had a significant falling out over Berger’s 2023 support for legislation that would have allowed for four additional casinos in North Carolina, including one in Rockingham County. Berger touted the project’s economic benefits, but many residents of Rockingham County — including Page — were staunchly opposed to the idea.
Here is the vote count as it stands as of this writing:
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