N.C. Senate Republican leader Phil Berger concedes after recount has Sam Page up by 23 votes

State Senate leader Phil Berger had earned President Donald Trump's endorsement, but it wasn't enough to help fend off Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.

The top Republican in the North Carolina Senate conceded to his challenger Tuesday in a razor-thin primary race despite having President Donald Trump's endorsement.

Phil Berger, the state Senate president pro tempore for the past 15 years, congratulated his opponent, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, in a race that went to a recount.

"While this was a close race, the voters have spoken, and I congratulate Sheriff Page on his victory,” Berger said in a statement, NBC affiliate WRAL of Raleigh reported. "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.”

Republican North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger at the Legislative Building in Raleigh in 2023. Hannah Schoenbaum / APOn election night, March 3, Berger trailed Page by two votes. After a recount, he was down 23 votes, according to unofficial state election results that showed Page with 13,135 to Berger's 13,112.

“I thank him for wishing me the best moving forward,” Page said in a statement that said Berger had called him to concede, The Associated Press reported. “Now it’s time for our community to come together and focus on winning in November.”