North Carolina state Senate president pro tempore Phil Berger conceded the Republican primary race to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page after a recount showed Page winning by 23 votes. The primary race went to a recount after Berger trailed by just two votes on election night March 3.

After the recount, unofficial state election results showed Page with 13,135 votes and Berger with 13,112. "While this was a close race, the voters have spoken, and I congratulate Sheriff Page on his victory," Berger said.

Page thanked Berger for his concession. "I thank him for wishing me the best moving forward," Page said. "Now it's time for our community to come together and focus on winning in November."

Berger has served as state Senate president pro tempore for the past 15 years, leading the chamber since Republicans took control in 2011 for the first time in 140 years. He had received President Donald Trump's endorsement in February.

"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 wrote on Truth Social. Trump said he would prefer Page to work for his administration in Washington, D.C., rather than further consider a run against Berger.

Page said in a December social media post that he had turned down a job offer from Trump in Washington. Page referred to himself as a passionate supporter of Trump and said he led Sheriffs for Trump in 2016. Berger's campaign website included a section detailing how he is fighting for the Trump agenda in North Carolina.

"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," Berger said.

Page will face Democrat Steve Luking in the November general election. Luking ran unopposed in the Democratic primary.