North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham has raised over $1.7 million according to his mid‑year campaign finance report.
More than $1.69 million was raised through individual contributions, making up the bulk of the receipts, while another $44,000 came from other committees. As of the June 30th reporting deadline, the Senate leader closed out the period with a hefty $1.8 million in cash on hand.
One likely reason for the surge in donations is the looming primary challenge from Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, who announced his bid for Berger’s seat back in February. Page’s entry into the race has injected a rare note of uncertainty into a seat long considered safe for Berger, who has led the North Carolina Senate since 2011.
“Berger had raised $376k at the same point in 2023. The question is whether he is raising more money or just earlier money,” said Andy Jackson, director of the Civitas Center for Public Integrity at the John Locke Foundation.
Berger’s strong fundraising isn’t just vital for his own reelection, it’s been critically important for Senate Republicans overall. His financial support helped colleagues in far more competitive races, playing a key role in maintaining the GOP’s supermajority in the NC Senate after the 2024 election.
“A concern for Republicans is that he will have to spend more on his primary rather than to help other Republicans win their senate races. His campaign raised $3.2 million for the 2024 election but most of that was sent to the NC Senate Majority Fund,” said Jackson.
Both candidates have been sparring back and forth on social media over a variety of issues including school choice, Page’s record as a sheriff, and an ongoing investigation by the SBI over missing campaign finance reports.
The candidate filing period for the 2026 primary election begins at noon on Monday, Dec. 1, 2025, and ends at noon on Friday, Dec. 19, 2025.
The post Facing primary fight, Berger’s war chest swells to $1.8 million first appeared on Carolina Journal.