Rockingham County Sheriff Page enters NC Senate race, challenging Phil Berger

Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page has announced his candidacy for North Carolina's Senate District 26, currently held by Senate leader Phil Berger. With the primary elections set for March 2026, Page, who has served as sheriff since 1998, aims to challenge Berger’s leadership, which has faced criticism for aligning with liberal policies. Page's entry into the race is expected to draw significant attention, particularly as he has a strong conservative record and has previously expressed opposition to some of Berger's initiatives, including a controversial casino project. Berger, who has been in the Senate since 2000, has yet to confirm whether he will seek reelection, amid growing dissatisfaction within his party regarding his relationships with Democrats. The Duplin County GOP has formally accused Berger of party disloyalty, which could impact his political future. Page plans to establish a campaign committee and launch a website to outline his platform as he prepares for the upcoming election cycle.