2026 North Carolina Senate District 26 Republican primary election
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March 3, 2026
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 County results Page: 60–70% Berger: 60–70% | |||||||||||||||||
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The Republican Party primary for the 2026 North Carolina's 26th Senate district election took place on March 3, 2026. The 26th district consisted of Rockingham County and portions of suburban Guilford County. The incumbent, president pro tempore Phil Berger, had represented the 26th district and its predecessors since 2001, and had led the North Carolina Republican Senate Caucus since 2005, making him the longest-serving incumbent state senate leader in the country.[1] Berger had been described as one of the powerful North Carolina politicians[2]
Sam Page, the sheriff of Rockingham County, announced in February 2025 his intent to run for the seat after years of public feud with Berger.[3] Despite Berger having the endorsement of president Donald Trump,[4] on election night unofficial results had Page topping Berger by a margin of only two votes.[5] After multiple recounts, Page's margin widened to 23 votes, and Berger conceded the election on March 24.[6] The election was classified as an upset by The Independent, and received international media attention.[7]
Since 2011, Berger has been the leader of the North Carolina Senate. Page has been, since 1998, the sheriff of Rockingham County.[8] The two candidates sought the Republican spot on the ballot for the 26th district, which has been represented by Berger since 2023, and by him, before then, from 2001 until 2019.[9]
Campaign
Berger received the endorsement of President Donald Trump, though both candidates attempted to align themselves with him.[10] Page has described himself as a "passionate supporter" of Trump, and his campaign website states that he "stands with Donald Trump".[10] Berger, while campaigning for the election, spent $10 million.[8]