The race between the Republican leader of the North Carolina Senate and his primary challenger remains too close to call, after residents cast their ballots in Tuesday’s election.
Unofficial results showed just two votes separated incumbent lawmaker Phil Berger from Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page on Tuesday evening. With all precincts fully reported, Page received 13,077 ballots, and Berger received 13,075, according to the North Carolina State Board of Elections.
The sheriff, who hails from Berger’s home county, was quick to claim victory, stating, “A win is a win.” But Berger has not conceded, as officials still need to count provisional ballots and ballots from military and overseas voters, a process expected to be completed by March 13. If Page’s razor-thin edge remains under 1% after all ballots are tabulated, Berger can request a recount, which must be filed by noon on March 17.
“We will continue through the process until we know what the result is,” Berger told reporters.
Should Page win the race, the development would mark a sweeping blow to establishment power in the state Senate, which Berger has led for years. The incumbent became state Senate president pro tempore in 2011 and has stayed in the leadership position through several governors and House speakers.
President Donald Trump waded into the race last month, describing both Republicans as “outstanding people.” The president offered Page a position in Washington, D.C., explaining that “therefore, Phil Berger has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election.”
JAMES TALARICO OFFERS DEMOCRATS A VISION OF FAITH THAT FITS THE LEFT
At the time, Page thanked Trump for the offer, but said he was committed to staying in the race.
“North Carolina deserves better than the corruption and backroom deals we’ve gotten from Phil Berger,” the sheriff wrote in a Facebook post.