Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

BlueWaveNeverEnd

(13,864 posts)
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 07:25 AM Yesterday

Political earthquake in N. Carolina. 3 Incumbent Democrats, who vote with GOP, lose their primaries by big margins

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/us/north-carolina-primary-election-legislature.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Q1A.SlaU.aZX-7TphsdVc&smid=url-share

The American flag cake was about half eaten by the time Phil Berger, North Carolina�s most powerful legislator, stepped to the podium on Tuesday at his election night party.

The leader of the State Senate did not appear in a good mood. He and his allies had pumped a staggering $10 million into his surprisingly tight primary race against Sam Page, a popular small-town sheriff. He had enlisted allies from Raleigh to campaign for him. He had even secured a coveted endorsement from President Trump, who is beloved in this rural stretch of northern North Carolina.

But as of Wednesday, his opponent was clinging to a two-vote lead, with provisional, military and overseas ballots still waiting to be counted. The extremely tight margin underscored the main takeaway for state legislative races across politically purple North Carolina on Tuesday night: This was a primary season about punishing incumbents on both sides of the aisle.

Three veteran Democrats in safe seats who tended to vote with the G.O.P. all lost their primaries by as much as 48 points, as their challengers promised to push back harder against Republicans� steamrolling approach to legislating.

Five Republican incumbents, and possibly Mr. Berger, were also swept from the State Legislature.
56 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Political earthquake in N. Carolina. 3 Incumbent Democrats, who vote with GOP, lose their primaries by big margins (Original Post) BlueWaveNeverEnd Yesterday OP
whow!! riversedge Yesterday #1
Well worth the read leftstreet Yesterday #2
Thanks for the gift article, worth the time to read ! nt eppur_se_muova Yesterday #3
Cunningham voted with the Republican majority 84 percent of the time progressoid Yesterday #4
What is it they say? Roy Rolling Yesterday #5
Fetterman needs to pay attention. nt Phoenix61 Yesterday #6
People in his district definitely need to make a new plan next time he's up for a BComplex Yesterday #10
Fetterman is a Senator moose65 Yesterday #34
Ooops! I knew that. BComplex Yesterday #36
Oh there's already one running. benfranklin1776 11 hrs ago #51
We need a real democrat. BComplex 11 hrs ago #52
Agreed but more will jump in. benfranklin1776 11 hrs ago #54
Somehow I think he's a pig in a poke and doesn't care. ananda Yesterday #16
He knows he's toast JBTaurus83 Yesterday #17
He's toast. A one termer and he knows it. 617Blue Yesterday #22
Fetterman is a GOP in sheep's clothing maliaSmith Yesterday #29
Fetterman needs to be f'ing GONE!!! paleotn Yesterday #38
So the mythical crossover votes centrists Emile Yesterday #7
to be fair those are mostly very Dem districts dsc Yesterday #11
This message was self-deleted by its author Emile Yesterday #13
Kick for Progress Kid Berwyn Yesterday #8
Wow! I'm so glad to hear this!!! BComplex Yesterday #9
Well, I would like to read it but it wants me to create an account, so no thanks. (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Yesterday #12
It showed as a gifted article for me Hassin Bin Sober Yesterday #20
Well, it wouldn't be the first time that a site was biased against Macs. OldBaldy1701E Yesterday #33
Try this: Hassin Bin Sober Yesterday #39
Thanks. OldBaldy1701E 10 hrs ago #55
Arkansas man awaiting murder trial wins GOP primary for county sheriff LiberalArkie Yesterday #14
Wow, Arkansas. Emile Yesterday #15
without knowning anything about the case moonshinegnomie Yesterday #24
I think you are correct. LiberalArkie Yesterday #27
Well, not too sure that'll be a strike AGAINST him if true. Callie1979 Yesterday #31
Thank you for the gift article. A very interesting read. niyad Yesterday #18
Perhaps the tides have turned for real this time PatSeg Yesterday #19
David Hogg is right. Primary anyone who isn't in the fight Arazi Yesterday #21
dixicrats gone bye bye, AllaN01Bear Yesterday #23
This message was self-deleted by its author AllaN01Bear Yesterday #25
I love it! Amazing! liberalla Yesterday #26
Good 'ol NYT not fooled Yesterday #28
The NYT can't seem to help itself... moose65 Yesterday #35
I want chump in Supermax! BidenRocks Yesterday #30
YMCA... DET Yesterday #32
Voting in the R primary in gerrymandered NC... mwooldri Yesterday #37
Berger is brakester Yesterday #40
It's a shame I only have one Rec. mwooldri Yesterday #41
This will happen to John Fetterman in 2 years also FakeNoose Yesterday #42
Dems supported him across the country! I live in CA but may have donated to Fetterman BlueWaveNeverEnd Yesterday #44
zero hard feelings for Fetterman voters Skittles 20 hrs ago #45
No I think Chump is blackmailing him FakeNoose 20 hrs ago #47
that quick endorsement of that vile POS Markwayne Skittles 19 hrs ago #48
Dem Party Chair Anderson Clayton is a star!! pat_k Yesterday #43
That's a burn. Buzz cook 20 hrs ago #46
No DINO's Historic NY 18 hrs ago #49
So they made those DINOS extinct, GreenWave 11 hrs ago #50
Thank God. Dems are learning there can be no cooperation with fascism. Scrivener7 11 hrs ago #53
"[B]oth sides of the aisle"? Sounds like one aisle, one side... ColoringFool 10 hrs ago #56

Roy Rolling

(7,583 posts)
5. What is it they say?
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 08:09 AM
Yesterday

“Elections have consequences”?

MAGAts think the election is bad, wait’ll they taste the consequences.

On edit: I discovered the problem. “coveted endorsement from President Trump“

Coveted by who? The Angel of Death? ETTD

BComplex

(9,859 posts)
10. People in his district definitely need to make a new plan next time he's up for a
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 08:43 AM
Yesterday

primary.

BComplex

(9,859 posts)
36. Ooops! I knew that.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 04:21 PM
Yesterday

Just wasn't thinking.

And....the democratic party needs to run a really good candidate against fetterman in the next primary.

My guess is, they won't. But they should.

BComplex

(9,859 posts)
52. We need a real democrat.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 07:19 AM
11 hrs ago

Conor Lamb looks to the left of Fetterman, but to the right of the "new & improved" MTG.

ananda

(34,868 posts)
16. Somehow I think he's a pig in a poke and doesn't care.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:26 AM
Yesterday

He will hopefully be ousted in his next election.

JBTaurus83

(1,133 posts)
17. He knows he's toast
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:28 AM
Yesterday

So now he’s going to run for president to either shit on Dems in the primary or run as an independent to screw us in the general.

maliaSmith

(192 posts)
29. Fetterman is a GOP in sheep's clothing
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 12:59 PM
Yesterday

Fetterman or Sweatterman as I call him, was the only Democrat to vote Yes giving Trump war powers. The only Democrat who voted that way. He voted to give up Senate's right to their power to be the only ones to have the power to declare war. He's a Republican just like Manchin and Sinema were. Vote him out Pa voters. He supports the Pedo rapist president.

Emile

(41,903 posts)
7. So the mythical crossover votes centrists
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 08:18 AM
Yesterday

claim is the only way we can win in red states, didn't materialize.

No surprise there.

dsc

(53,371 posts)
11. to be fair those are mostly very Dem districts
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 08:53 AM
Yesterday

and the GOP races are between conservatives.

Response to dsc (Reply #11)

BComplex

(9,859 posts)
9. Wow! I'm so glad to hear this!!!
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 08:42 AM
Yesterday

It's amazing what the vote counts look like when musk and trump aren't hacking the central tabulators, huh?

OldBaldy1701E

(10,934 posts)
33. Well, it wouldn't be the first time that a site was biased against Macs.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 03:16 PM
Yesterday

If that were the case.

There is no telling, but I tried to read it and it put up a window that blocked the article and asked me to 'create an account' to read the 'free article'.

OldBaldy1701E

(10,934 posts)
55. Thanks.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 08:50 AM
10 hrs ago

Nothing in there about Don Davis, so I will have to inquire of some family there.

I appreciate your posting this.

LiberalArkie

(19,660 posts)
14. Arkansas man awaiting murder trial wins GOP primary for county sheriff
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:13 AM
Yesterday

An Arkansas man awaiting trial for charges that he killed his daughter�s accused sexual abuser has won the Republican nomination for county sheriff, in a race that�s garnered national attention.



Opps, Forgot this link. https://www.democraticunderground.com/10395278

https://arkansasadvocate.com/2026/03/04/arkansas-man-awaiting-murder-trial-wins-gop-primary-for-county-sheriff/

moonshinegnomie

(3,993 posts)
24. without knowning anything about the case
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 10:08 AM
Yesterday

if a guys daughter is being abused and he kills her abuser that would make me probably more likely to vote for them. (depending on teh actual details)

PatSeg

(53,064 posts)
19. Perhaps the tides have turned for real this time
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:43 AM
Yesterday

This is really impressive. As usual, my optimism is cautious, but it is possible people are finally paying attention.

Arazi

(8,850 posts)
21. David Hogg is right. Primary anyone who isn't in the fight
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:55 AM
Yesterday

We must replace everyone who isn’t prepared to do everything necessary to save our democracy.

Response to BlueWaveNeverEnd (Original post)

not fooled

(6,649 posts)
28. Good 'ol NYT
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 12:48 PM
Yesterday

My takeaway is that voters were punishing ANY pol who stands with krasnov and his party—pukes and puke-supporting Dems, NOT NYT’s spin that voters punished “incumbents “.

moose65

(3,449 posts)
35. The NYT can't seem to help itself...
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 04:18 PM
Yesterday

The article mentions that 3 Dem and 5 Republican incumbents lost. Then they go into detail about the Democrats and don't even mention the names of the Republicans who lost! Sheesh.

BidenRocks

(3,136 posts)
30. I want chump in Supermax!
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 01:49 PM
Yesterday

Isolated and forced to listen to YMCA forever.
Don't feel like doing your jerk-off dance any more?
I would say ROT, but that's underway!

Those who say they could never hate, have never known chump!

mwooldri

(10,810 posts)
37. Voting in the R primary in gerrymandered NC...
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 04:37 PM
Yesterday

... is IMO the only sure fire way to get change happening around here. That's what I did. Especially as I'm in NC Senate District 26. A district that's basically 60% R, 40% D. So yes, I voted for Sam Page over Phil Berger. Yes come the general election I'm voting for Steve Luking - the Democratic candidate who was the sole candidate and thus no D primary. But sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do and crossing the party line to the R side (and holding my nose while doing it, almost literally) is what you gotta do.

And since at last count Page leads Berger by two votes, I kinda like to think it's my wife's vote and my sons vote that put Page over the top.

We will see what the provisional ballots will do, and I'm hoping that Page keeps his lead. Yes he's a Republican. Yes he supports Trump. But a message needs to be sent and heard in Raleigh. If Berger gets by on a thin margin I just think he'll continue on business as usual and not pay his constituents any notice.

brakester

(582 posts)
40. Berger is
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 05:29 PM
Yesterday

Despicable swamp creature. He has consistently and dishonestly destroyed democracy in NC.

mwooldri

(10,810 posts)
41. It's a shame I only have one Rec.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 05:49 PM
Yesterday

And to think that his race spent $10 million. On a State Senate seat. Plus what Super PACS spent. There was no getting away from his ads. I never heard a single Sam Page ad.

Ridiculous amount of money spent. I still have my Brit mindset and knowing the UK spends about $125 million on a general election for all 650 seats....

No wonder democracy is so dodgy in the USA.

FakeNoose

(41,178 posts)
42. This will happen to John Fetterman in 2 years also
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 05:51 PM
Yesterday

It breaks my heart because I'm in PA and I voted for him in 2022. He must realize he has no chance of getting re-elected now. The Repukes don't want him and the Dems are totally fed up with him.

BlueWaveNeverEnd

(13,864 posts)
44. Dems supported him across the country! I live in CA but may have donated to Fetterman
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 06:45 PM
Yesterday

Such a disappointed. I want to send him and his hoodies packing

Skittles

(170,975 posts)
45. zero hard feelings for Fetterman voters
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 10:00 PM
20 hrs ago

I remember at one time thinking he was a cool guy.....that stroke truly did a number on him, turned him RED.

Skittles

(170,975 posts)
48. that quick endorsement of that vile POS Markwayne
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:35 PM
19 hrs ago

VERY suspicious indeed.....even by the Trump whore standard that was over-the-top :i

pat_k

(13,121 posts)
43. Dem Party Chair Anderson Clayton is a star!!
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 06:06 PM
Yesterday

More people in our party need to be willing to take out the brass knuckles!!

She and the NCDP Executive Council denied them access to VoteBuilder, a crucial voter data and campaign organizing database that the party typically provides to candidates.

And she is only 28. One of our next gen powerhouse democrats who are going to remake the party for the better!

Buzz cook

(2,873 posts)
46. That's a burn.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 10:07 PM
20 hrs ago
But inside The Penn House, Mr. Berger’s team wrapped a tense party after citing the 10 p.m. city policy.

Asked about whether such a policy existed, Montana Brown, the city’s director of marketing and economic development, said in an email that there was a city noise ordinance that takes effect at 10 p.m., so “most booked events tend to end” at that time.

It is unclear if Mr. Berger’s party would have broken the ordinance. The room was quiet that night.

Scrivener7

(59,272 posts)
53. Thank God. Dems are learning there can be no cooperation with fascism.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 07:22 AM
11 hrs ago

The rules have changed, and too many have not understood that.

ColoringFool

(557 posts)
56. "[B]oth sides of the aisle"? Sounds like one aisle, one side...
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 08:54 AM
10 hrs ago

Ostensible Party affiliation notwithstanding.

IOW, legislators who voted "R" were defeated.



Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Political earthquake in N...