The top Republican in the North Carolina Senate conceded to his challenger Tuesday in a razor-thin primary race despite having President Donald Trump's endorsement.
Phil Berger, the state Senate president pro tempore for the past 15 years, congratulated his opponent, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, in a race that went to a recount.
"While this was a close race, the voters have spoken, and I congratulate Sheriff Page on his victory,” Berger said in a statement, NBC affiliate WRAL of Raleigh reported. "Over the past 15 years, Republicans in the General Assembly have fundamentally redefined our state's outlook and reputation. It has been an honor to play a role in that transformation.”
On election night, March 3, Berger trailed Page by two votes. After a recount, he was down 23 votes, according to unofficial state election results that showed Page with 13,135 to Berger's 13,112.
Page told NBC News that Berger called him Tuesday to share his plans to concede.
"He wished me the best as I moved forward in November, and I thanked him for his service," Page said in a phone interview, adding the pair have known each other since Berger started working as an attorney in the area in the 1980s.
He added that his success in the primary showed that voters want a change.
“When you have elected officials, you serve our citizens,” Page said. “So if they decide it’s time for a change, they do it through the vote. And I wholly support that.”
Berger's campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Trump endorsed Berger in February, after Page said in a December social media post that he had turned down a job offer from Trump in Washington.
"Phil Berger has served as the Highly Respected Leader of the North Carolina Senate for over a decade, helping us deliver massive and historic Victories across the State, including my six BIG WINS and Primaries in 2016, 2020, and 2024!" Trump said on Truth Social.
He added that Page "is GREAT, he has been a longtime supporter, but I really want him to come work for us in Washington, D.C., rather than further considering a run against Phil."
Berger has been the head of the state Senate since 2011, when he helped lead Republicans to take control of the chamber for the first time in 140 years.
Both Berger and Page touted allegiances to Trump's policies in their campaigns. Berger's campaign website included a section detailing how he is fighting for the Trump agenda in North Carolina, while Page called himself a "passionate supporter" of Trump and said he led "Sheriffs for Trump" in 2016.
In November, Page will face Steve Luking, who ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.
