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BlueWaveNeverEnd

(14,435 posts) Thu Mar 5, 2026, 08:25 AM Mar 5

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

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 Carolinaï¿½s 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 Republicansï¿½ 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 [View all] 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