President Donald Trump has officially endorsed North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger in his bid for reelection to NC Senate District 26, the seat representing Rockingham and Guilford counties. Trump’s backing comes as Berger prepares for a contested Republican primary in March.
“I’m honored to receive President Trump’s ‘Complete and Total Endorsement,’ because we are both fighting to improve the lives of North Carolinians, standing up to the woke, leftist policies that hurt working people and mock their values,” Berger said in a press release. “The president called to commend Senate Republicans’ work supporting his America First agenda at the state level — and I’m very grateful to have his full support as we pursue more conservative victories.”
The candidate filing period for North Carolina’s 2026 elections opened at noon on Dec. 1 and runs through noon Dec. 19. Berger filed for reelection on the first day of filing, making his campaign official ahead of the March 3, 2026, Republican primary, with the general election set for Nov. 3, 2026.
Berger’s most prominent challenger is Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, who also filed for the GOP nomination on Dec. 1. Page has mounted a primary effort contrasting his local law-enforcement experience with Berger’s long legislative career, and has been critical of Berger’s 2023 effort to bring a casino to Rockingham County. His campaign website emphasizes his own support for President Trump. In the Berger endorsement, Trump offered for Page to work for the administration, rather than primary Berger for the District 26 Senate seat.
Thank you, @realDonaldTrump, for your complete and total endorsement! I'm honored to receive it. #ncpol pic.twitter.com/lKtkO5MGXI
— Senator Phil Berger (@SenatorBerger) December 11, 2025
“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 in the Berger endorsement. “As Senate Leader, Phil is fighting tirelessly to Grow the Economy, Cut Taxes and Regulations, Advance MADE IN THE U.S.A., Unleash American Energy DOMINANCE, Champion School Choice, Support our Great Military, Veterans, and Law Enforcement, Keep our now very Secure Border, SECURE, Stop Migrant Crime, and Protect our always under siege Second Amendment. … Therefore, Phil Berger has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Re-Election — HE WILL NEVER LET YOU DOWN!”
According to the Civitas Partisan Index from the John Locke Foundation, SD-26 is rated R+9, meaning it is “likely Republican,” reflecting a substantial Republican lean that generally favors GOP candidates in the district.
In addition to Trump’s endorsement, Berger has secured backing from other prominent figures and organizations, including Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler; US Sen. Ted Budd; Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, R-NC5; Congressman David Rouzer, R-NC7; State Auditor Dave Boliek; the North Carolina Troopers Association; the NC Values Coalition; and Americans for Prosperity-North Carolina.
Berger was first elected to the state Senate in 2000 and has served as Senate leader for more than a decade, making him the first Republican to hold that post in over 100 years. The primary challenge is likely to be one of the most closely watched of 2026 in North Carolina, as ads against both Berger and Page have already surfaced from third party groups. One from a group called “NC Families for Prosperity” questions Berger’s leadership on Helene relief and a bill that would ban shrimp trawling in the eastern part of the state. Other ads, from “NC True Conservatives” opposes Page, calling him “Shady Sam Page,” and highlights scandals within Rockingham County jail, also accusing him of taking taxpayer-funded trips.