End of an Era: Senate Leader Phil Berger Concedes

North Carolina -- In a political shakeup that has stunned the North Carolina establishment, state Senate leader Phil Berger officially conceded the Republican primary for his seat on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. The concession marks the end of a 15-year run for the state’s most powerful conservative lawmaker, who fell just 23 votes short of challenger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.The Final CountThe primary, originally held on March 3, 2026, saw an initial gap of only two votes. Following w