RALEIGH, N.C. (WPTF) – Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page has widened his razor-thin lead over State President Pro Tem Phil Berger in the Republican primary for Senate District 26.
As of late Friday (March 6), the State Board of Elections website had Page leading Berger 13,136 to 13,113, a margin of 23 votes. This came after elections boards in Rockingham and Guilford counties met to reconcile provisional ballots. Page led by two votes in the election night tally.
The race has received national attention as Berger, a major power broker in North Carolina politics, has won previously by double digit margins and sometimes without competition.
The Senate Pro Tem position holds a great deal of power, after multiple changes over the years by the General Assembly. Berger has held the position for 14 years holding the position continuously since January 2011. As of early 2025, he is entering his eighth two-year term in this leadership role, having served as the leader since Republicans took control of the chamber.
Democratic Sen. Marc Basnight served in the position for 18 years, prior to Republicans taking the majority in the upper chamber.
Page lifted his profile amid a possible plan backed by Berger to develop casinos in Rockingham and other rural counties. That effort was dropped.
Mail-in ballots from military overseas are yet to be counted, but political observers say the small number of such ballots is not expected to sway the outcome.
Once full canvassing is complete, and if the margin is less than one percent, the trailing candidate can ask for a recount.
Page has been critical of some election officials and State Auditor Dave Boliek, who now appoints elections boards. He says they have not been impartial, noting that Boliek was campaigning for Berger. Earlier this week, one member of the State Board of Election, Bob Rucho of Mecklenburg County resigned after it was learned he had made donations to several sheriff races. It is a violation of state law for election board members to contribute to campaigns.
Angela Hawkins of Wake County was sworn in by Executive Director Sam Hayes as the newest member of the NC State Board of Elections on Thursday (March 5).