'I intend to run': NC's top Republican gearing up for contentious primary

Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page announced last week that he'd primary the state's top Republican. Berger is gearing up for a contentious battle.

North Carolina’s top Senate Republican told reporters on Tuesday that he plans to seek reelection next year. The move by Senate leader Phil Berger stands to set up a contentious showdown against Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, who announced last week that he’d seek to oust Berger.

“My intent has been, all along, to run again,” Berger said on Tuesday. “And I felt that the appropriate thing would be to make the announcement of that closer to the filing period. But I intend to run. I intend to continue to be the senator from the 26th District.”

Page is challenging Berger, with local opposition to casinos central to his campaign.