Longtime GOP lawmaker may lose his seat after Trump comes through with endorsement
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.
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