NC-SD30: Berger (R) campaign accuses Democrats of interfering in his primary

As early voting began in the 2026 primary, the campaign of Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) bashed “Democrat-aligned dark money groups” for running ads supporting his opponent, Sheriff Sam Page.

Page, the longtime sheriff of Rockingham County, Berger’s home, is by any measure the most serious primary challenger the powerful Republican Senate leader has faced in more than 20 years. Polls have shown the two in a close race since late 2025, despite Berger’s huge money advantage and relentless negative advertising.

Berger’s campaign alleged in a press release Thursday that groups tied to Democrats have “dumped hundreds of thousands of dollars to rescue Page.” The campaign cited two groups running attack ads against Berger — N.C. Families for Prosperity and the N.C. Partnership for Good Government — that were incorporated by Chapel Hill attorney Josh Starin.

Starin, who is registered as an unaffiliated voter, did not respond to a request for comment.







https://ncnewsline.com/2026/02/13/berger-campaign-accuses-democrats-of-interfering-in-his-primary/