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BlueWaveNeverEnd

(14,287 posts)
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 08:25 AM Mar 5

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.
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Political earthquake in N. Carolina. 3 Incumbent Democrats, who vote with GOP, lose their primaries by big margins (Original Post) BlueWaveNeverEnd Mar 5 OP
whow!! riversedge Mar 5 #1
Well worth the read leftstreet Mar 5 #2
Thanks for the gift article, worth the time to read ! nt eppur_se_muova Mar 5 #3
Cunningham voted with the Republican majority 84 percent of the time progressoid Mar 5 #4
What is it they say? Roy Rolling Mar 5 #5
Fetterman needs to pay attention. nt Phoenix61 Mar 5 #6
People in his district definitely need to make a new plan next time he's up for a BComplex Mar 5 #10
Fetterman is a Senator moose65 Mar 5 #34
Ooops! I knew that. BComplex Mar 5 #36
Oh there's already one running. benfranklin1776 Mar 6 #51
We need a real democrat. BComplex Mar 6 #52
Agreed but more will jump in. benfranklin1776 Mar 6 #54
Somehow I think he's a pig in a poke and doesn't care. ananda Mar 5 #16
He knows he's toast JBTaurus83 Mar 5 #17
He's toast. A one termer and he knows it. 617Blue Mar 5 #22
Fetterman is a GOP in sheep's clothing maliaSmith Mar 5 #29
Fetterman needs to be f'ing GONE!!! paleotn Mar 5 #38
So the mythical crossover votes centrists Emile Mar 5 #7
to be fair those are mostly very Dem districts dsc Mar 5 #11
This message was self-deleted by its author Emile Mar 5 #13
Kick for Progress Kid Berwyn Mar 5 #8
Wow! I'm so glad to hear this!!! BComplex Mar 5 #9
Well, I would like to read it but it wants me to create an account, so no thanks. (n/t) OldBaldy1701E Mar 5 #12
It showed as a gifted article for me Hassin Bin Sober Mar 5 #20
Well, it wouldn't be the first time that a site was biased against Macs. OldBaldy1701E Mar 5 #33
Try this: Hassin Bin Sober Mar 5 #39
Thanks. OldBaldy1701E Mar 6 #55
Arkansas man awaiting murder trial wins GOP primary for county sheriff LiberalArkie Mar 5 #14
Wow, Arkansas. Emile Mar 5 #15
without knowning anything about the case moonshinegnomie Mar 5 #24
I think you are correct. LiberalArkie Mar 5 #27
Well, not too sure that'll be a strike AGAINST him if true. Callie1979 Mar 5 #31
Thank you for the gift article. A very interesting read. niyad Mar 5 #18
Perhaps the tides have turned for real this time PatSeg Mar 5 #19
David Hogg is right. Primary anyone who isn't in the fight Arazi Mar 5 #21
dixicrats gone bye bye, AllaN01Bear Mar 5 #23
This message was self-deleted by its author AllaN01Bear Mar 5 #25
I love it! Amazing! liberalla Mar 5 #26
Good 'ol NYT not fooled Mar 5 #28
The NYT can't seem to help itself... moose65 Mar 5 #35
I want chump in Supermax! BidenRocks Mar 5 #30
YMCA... DET Mar 5 #32
Voting in the R primary in gerrymandered NC... mwooldri Mar 5 #37
Berger is brakester Mar 5 #40
It's a shame I only have one Rec. mwooldri Mar 5 #41
This will happen to John Fetterman in 2 years also FakeNoose Mar 5 #42
Dems supported him across the country! I live in CA but may have donated to Fetterman BlueWaveNeverEnd Mar 5 #44
zero hard feelings for Fetterman voters Skittles Mar 5 #45
No I think Chump is blackmailing him FakeNoose Mar 5 #47
that quick endorsement of that vile POS Markwayne Skittles Mar 6 #48
Dem Party Chair Anderson Clayton is a star!! pat_k Mar 5 #43
Elected at 25 years old, Clayton is the youngest chair of a state political party in the U.S. Celerity Mar 9 #58
Recent report from Anderson Clayton with Simon Rosenberg pat_k Mar 9 #59
That's a burn. Buzz cook Mar 5 #46
No DINO's Historic NY Mar 6 #49
So they made those DINOS extinct, GreenWave Mar 6 #50
Thank God. Dems are learning there can be no cooperation with fascism. Scrivener7 Mar 6 #53
"[B]oth sides of the aisle"? Sounds like one aisle, one side... ColoringFool Mar 6 #56
THAT'S the way to do it!!!! some_of_us_are_sane Mar 9 #57

Roy Rolling

(7,635 posts)
5. What is it they say?
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:09 AM
Mar 5

“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

(9,917 posts)
10. People in his district definitely need to make a new plan next time he's up for a
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:43 AM
Mar 5

primary.

BComplex

(9,917 posts)
36. Ooops! I knew that.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 05:21 PM
Mar 5

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

(9,917 posts)
52. We need a real democrat.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 08:19 AM
Mar 6

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

ananda

(35,179 posts)
16. Somehow I think he's a pig in a poke and doesn't care.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 10:26 AM
Mar 5

He will hopefully be ousted in his next election.

JBTaurus83

(1,399 posts)
17. He knows he's toast
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 10:28 AM
Mar 5

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

(201 posts)
29. Fetterman is a GOP in sheep's clothing
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 01:59 PM
Mar 5

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

(42,320 posts)
7. So the mythical crossover votes centrists
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:18 AM
Mar 5

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

No surprise there.

dsc

(53,398 posts)
11. to be fair those are mostly very Dem districts
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:53 AM
Mar 5

and the GOP races are between conservatives.

Response to dsc (Reply #11)

BComplex

(9,917 posts)
9. Wow! I'm so glad to hear this!!!
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 09:42 AM
Mar 5

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

OldBaldy1701E

(11,178 posts)
33. Well, it wouldn't be the first time that a site was biased against Macs.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 04:16 PM
Mar 5

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

(11,178 posts)
55. Thanks.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 09:50 AM
Mar 6

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

I appreciate your posting this.

LiberalArkie

(19,820 posts)
14. Arkansas man awaiting murder trial wins GOP primary for county sheriff
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 10:13 AM
Mar 5

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

(4,024 posts)
24. without knowning anything about the case
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:08 AM
Mar 5

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

(53,214 posts)
19. Perhaps the tides have turned for real this time
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 10:43 AM
Mar 5

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

Arazi

(8,887 posts)
21. David Hogg is right. Primary anyone who isn't in the fight
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 10:55 AM
Mar 5

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

Response to BlueWaveNeverEnd (Original post)

not fooled

(6,687 posts)
28. Good 'ol NYT
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 01:48 PM
Mar 5

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

(3,454 posts)
35. The NYT can't seem to help itself...
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 05:18 PM
Mar 5

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

(3,279 posts)
30. I want chump in Supermax!
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 02:49 PM
Mar 5

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

(10,818 posts)
37. Voting in the R primary in gerrymandered NC...
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 05:37 PM
Mar 5

... 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

(602 posts)
40. Berger is
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 06:29 PM
Mar 5

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

mwooldri

(10,818 posts)
41. It's a shame I only have one Rec.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 06:49 PM
Mar 5

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

(41,693 posts)
42. This will happen to John Fetterman in 2 years also
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 06:51 PM
Mar 5

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

(14,287 posts)
44. Dems supported him across the country! I live in CA but may have donated to Fetterman
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 07:45 PM
Mar 5

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

Skittles

(171,745 posts)
45. zero hard feelings for Fetterman voters
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:00 PM
Mar 5

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

Skittles

(171,745 posts)
48. that quick endorsement of that vile POS Markwayne
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 12:35 AM
Mar 6

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

pat_k

(13,393 posts)
43. Dem Party Chair Anderson Clayton is a star!!
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 07:06 PM
Mar 5

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!

Celerity

(54,450 posts)
58. Elected at 25 years old, Clayton is the youngest chair of a state political party in the U.S.
Mon Mar 9, 2026, 02:23 PM
Mar 9


pat_k

(13,393 posts)
59. Recent report from Anderson Clayton with Simon Rosenberg
Mon Mar 9, 2026, 03:24 PM
Mar 9

First 15 mins or so.



And an interview from about 4 months ago



Anderson's NC State Party is a model for the nation!

Buzz cook

(2,899 posts)
46. That's a burn.
Thu Mar 5, 2026, 11:07 PM
Mar 5
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

(59,536 posts)
53. Thank God. Dems are learning there can be no cooperation with fascism.
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 08:22 AM
Mar 6

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

ColoringFool

(732 posts)
56. "[B]oth sides of the aisle"? Sounds like one aisle, one side...
Fri Mar 6, 2026, 09:54 AM
Mar 6

Ostensible Party affiliation notwithstanding.

IOW, legislators who voted "R" were defeated.



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