Longtime GOP lawmaker may lose his seat after Trump comes through with endorsement
Source: Raw Story · Bias: Far Left
Summary
North Carolina State Senate President Phil Berger faces an unexpectedly difficult primary challenge despite securing Donald Trump's endorsement, according to reporting from The Washington Post.Berger, who has led the Republican caucus since 2011, is struggling to fend off local sheriff Sam Page as voters prepare for the March 3 primary. His political future remains uncertain even with the president's backing.According to the Post, Berger lacks a personal relationship with Trump. Multiple advisers attempted to leverage the issue by approaching the White House with an offer: if the president put his thumb on the scale for Berger, the senator would pursue redistricting favorable to Republicans, potentially netting the party an additional House seat."In an interview, Berger vehemently denied any quid pro quo and said he never spoke with Trump to seek his support. But several weeks after he helped pass the new map meant to net one more House seat for Republicans, the president made an unusual endorsement in a local race," the Post is reporting.Trump issued the endorsement in December, yet Berger's reelection prospects remain bleak. The Post reports: "The race shows how the power of Trump's endorsement can advance his agenda. But it could also end up demonstrating Trump's limits as Republicans are bracing for electoral losses," with Berger's team privately expressing concern that the incumbent could lose next week.One North Carolina GOP consultant characterized the matchup as "David versus Goliath." Republicans have also raised concerns that Berger's substantial spending in the primary could drain resources needed for other state legislative races in the general election. Berger countered that party officials have historically underestimated primary threats and he could not afford to make that mistake.You can read more here.
Related Coverage
- ‘The second-most good-looking president’: Trump entertains on Usha Vance’s program (Far Right — WorldNetDaily)
- 'Demon in human skin!' Fox News host loses it as Dem threatens to upend Texas Senate race (Far Left — Raw Story)
- Melania gives Congress private deadline as she works around Trump's team: report (Far Left — Raw Story)
- Trump announces pardons for pollution violators prosecuted for "fixing their car" (Center — Politics - CBSNews.com)
- Trump Pardons Six People Pursued for ‘Fixing Their Car’ (Center — Bloomberg Politics)
- Sources: Trump likely to pardon pollution violators; weighing clemency for Diddy (Center — Politics - CBSNews.com)
- Fox host warns Trump will pay for his 'breathtaking' corruption (Left — Alternet.org)
- Signs of Victory: I-95 Welcomes President Donald Trump Int'l Airport (Right — RedState)
More Headlines From February 27, 2026
- Trump: Iran will be hit with 'a force never seen before' if they escalate (Center)
- Best Pet Insurance Companies of 2026 (Center)
- Despite its reluctance, tariff setting is the job of Congress — not Trump (Center Right)
- Not going away': Senate Republicans begin to turn on Trump (Left)
- Trump says he’s ‘not happy’ with Iran talks and ‘sometimes’ force is necessary (Center Right)






