Page Widens Lead Over Berger to 23 Votes in North Carolina GOP Senate Primary

Overview

• After provisional ballots were tallied Friday, Sam Page leads Phil Berger 13,136 to 13,113, expanding his edge from two votes to 23.
• Fewer than six overseas and military ballots remain to be counted next week, a number too small to erase Page’s lead even if all go to Berger.
• North Carolina law permits a recount when the margin is under 1%, and the trailing candidate has until March 17 to request one following the March 13 canvass.
• Rockingham elections chair Don Powell reported that a woman identifying herself as “Chris” approached and recorded provisional voters in Reidsville and handed him a Blueprint NC Faith Table pamphlet, prompting concerns about interference.
• The Berger campaign said volunteers have contacted provisional voters only to encourage curing issues and denied any voter intimidation, as scrutiny of election oversight grew following State Board member Bob Rucho’s resignation and Page’s call for Auditor Dave Boliek to recuse.