US EditionRecount Likely for NC Senate District 26 Race Between Berger, Page
Sam Page overcame Phil Berger by two votes in a Republican primary upset in North Carolina Senate District 26, signaling a shift against establishment-backed candidates.
- On Tuesday, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page defeated Phil Berger in the Republican primary for Senate District 26 by a margin triggering an automatic recount under state law.
- Page ran as an outsider arguing Berger was insulated from constituents and tied to the donor class, while Berger has led the Senate since 2011 with Trump and establishment backing; a loss could trigger Raleigh leadership changes later this year.
- Sam Page campaigned on nearly three decades of law enforcement experience and had raised just $45,000 through the end of 2025, helping him carry Rockingham County.
- Canvassing to make results official is Friday, with the Rockingham County Board of Elections and Guilford County Board of Elections conducting the recount before certification, which occurs 10 days after the election.
- The primary winner now faces Democrat Steve Luking on Nov. 3 and is expected to be the heavy favorite, while a Berger loss could trigger a leadership shift in the Republican-dominated state Senate later this year.
19 Articles
19 Articles
'Most powerful' N.C. state senator trails primary challenger by 2 votes despite Trump's endorsement
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.
Phil Berger trails by 2 votes in highly watched primary against Sam Page
Recount likely for NC Senate District 26 race between Berger, Page
ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (WNCN) — The GOP primary race for District 26 in the North Carolina Senate looks likely to head to a recount. As of just after 11 p.m. Tuesday, with all precincts in the district counted, incumbent Phil Berger is trailing challenger Sam Page by two votes, 13,077-13,075. According to state statute G.S. 163-182.7, [...]
Watauga Democrat
Election 2026: Page 2 votes better than Berger
(The Center Square) – Two votes are the difference for an unofficial Republican primary Election Day win in North Carolina by Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page over 13-term state Sen. Phil Berger.
Carolina Journal
Carolina Coast OnlineChallenger Page with 2-vote lead on Senate Leader Berger
Republican voters in North Carolina’s Senate District 26 delivered an extremely close result Tuesday night in the primary contest between Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. Unofficial election night results show Page leading Berger by just two votes. County election officials may change the margin as they review provisional ballots and complete the canvass in the coming days. Because the difference f…
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