Berger Concedes Senate Race, Page Wins Primary

0:00It's March 24th. I'm Cory with the story, and this is Canada News today, your AI-powered local news. North Carolina's top Republican Senate leader, Phil Berger, has conceded his primary race to Challenger's Sam Page, the Rockingham County Sheriff. This upset in the 26th Senate District, which covers parts of Greensboro and surrounding areas, could reshape the state's political landscape. Berger has held the Senate leadership post since 2011, when Republicans seized full control of the General Assembly for the first time in 140 years. Page pulled ahead on primary night, back on March 3rd, starting with a razor-thin lead of just two votes out of more than 26,000. President Trump endorsed Berger, highlighting his policy wins, but voters still backed Page even after his campaign was outspent, 50-1, not. Counting millions more from pro-Berger groups on ads and mailers, the margin grew as officials counted provisional and absentee ballots.

1:00Page now heads to the November general election in this Republican-leaning district. Berger will stay in his Senate role and as leader through the end of the year, with senators set to choose a successor in early 2000, 27. This shift marks the end of an era for one of the state's most powerful conservatives, leaving Republicans to regroup ahead of bigger battles.