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

North Carolina Senate leader Republican Phil Berger, who touted President Donald Trump’s endorsement throughout his campaign, conceded defeat Tuesday in his primary election in a race he lost by just 23 votes.

Berger, a powerful figure in state politics, and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page were separated by just two votes when unofficial results first came in for the Greensboro-area seat on election night. A machine recount and a separate hand recount of ballots in some counties affirmed the 23-vote loss for the incumbent.

Page is expected to win the Republican-leaning district in November.

“While this was a close race, the voters have spoken, and I congratulate Sheriff Page on his victory,” Berger said in a statement. “Over the past 15 years, Republicans in the General Assembly have fundamentally redefined our state’s outlook and reputation. It has been an honor to play a role in that transformation.”

Page thanked Berger for conceding and bringing an end to a hard-fought campaign.

“I appreciate Senator Berger’s call earlier today and his concession,” he said in a statement. “I’m grateful for his years of service to our state, and I thank him for wishing me the best moving forward.”

The result adds an uncommon blemish to the president’s endorsement scorecard. Candidates he backed have almost universally either won or advanced to runoffs in primaries this cycle, although Trump withheld his endorsement in some heated contests.

Trump endorsed Berger in December, calling him an “America First Patriot” who is “doing an incredible job.” But he also praised Page as “great,” and said both candidates are “outstanding people.”

Berger’s defeat creates a power vacuum in Republican politics in North Carolina. He has led Republicans in the state senate since 2005, including all the nearly 15 years they have spent in the majority since 2011.

Berger has played a key role in crystallizing Republican control, leading a 2024 move to shift authority over elections from the governor to an elections board and to strip the governor and attorney general of key powers shortly before Democratic Gov. Josh Stein and Democratic Attorney General Jeff Jackson entered office.

Last year, Berger helped redraw North Carolina’s congressional maps to give Republicans a better chance of defeating Democratic Rep. Don Davis in the 1st Congressional district.

Page’s primary challenge was ignited in part by pushback to a 2023 gambling expansion proposal touted by Berger that would have paved the way for a new casino in the district. Republicans ultimately abandoned the idea, but Page’s vocal opposition to the proposal gave him the platform for his campaign.