VOLUME 11 ISSUE 3 | THURSDAY, MARCH 12, 2026
NSJONLINE.COM
AP PHOTOS
Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, pictured left in April 2024, narrowly leads Senate Leader Phil Berger, pictured right in July 2023, in the race to face Democrat Steve Luking for the District 26 seat in the state Senate.
the
Primary delivers NCGA upsets
BRIEF this week
Senate Leader Phil Berger trails Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page by a razor-thin margin
Canadian police investigate gunfire at U.S. consulate Toronto Canadian police are investigating after the United States consulate in downtown Toronto was hit by gunfire early on Tuesday morning. Nobody was injured. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police called it a national security incident and said the national police force is working with Toronto police to understand the motive. Leather said the U.S. and Israeli consulates, as well as embassies in Ottawa, will see an increase in security. Toronto Police said two individuals emerged from a white Honda CRV SUV at around 4:30 a.m. and fired multiple shots at the building before fleeing. Barredo said both suspects were involved in the discharge of the firearm. He said there were shell casings as well as damage outside but said bullets did not penetrate the building.
State Department allows up to $40M for Mideast evacuation flights Washington, D.C. The State Department has authorized the use of up to $40 million in emergency funds to pay for evacuation charter flights for Americans to leave the Middle East because of disruptions in transportation caused by the Iran war. The department had approved the use of money from a fund normally reserved for emergencies involving diplomatic and consular staff, according to two U.S. officials who spoke anonymously. The State Department confirmed the use of the emergency funds but declined to specify the amount.
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NC to get $165M for Helene recovery, COVID-19 measures The federal dollars will come from the Department of Homeland Security By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Another tranche of nearly $165 million in public assistance grants is headed to North Carolina, made up of $92.1 million for Hurricane Helene Disaster
Recovery and $73.8 million in outstanding COVID-19 emergency measure grants. The funds will come through the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and its subagencies like FEMA. “Since Democrats irresponsibly shut down DHS, I have been working with President (Donald) Trump, his administration, and colleagues in Congress like Rep. Chuck Edwards See HELENE, page A3
Berger told reporters, “We’re going to continue to press this until all legal votes have been counted and we know what the result is.” Provisional ballots were counted by county boards last By A.P. Dillon Friday, and Page’s lead grew North State Journal to 23. The margin is still less RALEIGH — The North than 1%, with Page at 50.04% Carolina March 3 primary de- and Berger at 49.96%. “While today’s results were livered upsets in several state not what we had legislative races, hoped, the vote difwith the most conference continues sequential in Sento be less than 1%, ate District 26 — “If we believe the threshold for rethe race between a recount is questing a recount,” Senate Leader Phil Berger said in a Berger (R-Eden) merited, I press release. and Rockingham will pursue “As we wait for County Sheriff Sam that avenue the election results Page. to be reviewed one Berger, consid- as allowed week from today, ered the most pow- by law.” our legal team will erful politician in continue to evaluate the state, found Senate Leader the situation. If we himself two votes Phil Berger believe a recount is behind Page at the (R-Eden) merited, I will purend of the night desue that avenue as spite Berger being endorsed by President Donald allowed by law. A lot of folks Trump. The race was a statis- have supported me throughtical tie at 50% each on elec- out my time in public service, and I owe it to them to ensure tion night. At his results watch party, clarity of the election results.” The deadline to file an Page took the stage, thanked supporters and claimed victory. At his watch party location, See NCGA, page A8
Cooper, Whatley pitted in race to succeed Tillis All the state’s congressional incumbents defeated their primary challengers By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — Former Gov. Roy Cooper and former Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley secured their party nominations during last week’s U.S. Senate primary. Unofficially and before provisional totals were added, 824,798 Democratic votes and 625,667 Republican votes were cast in the race to replace Republican Sen. Thom Tillis. Cooper became the Demo-
cratic nominee after winning his primary race with more than 90% of the vote. “North Carolina, we’re officially on the road to November 3rd,” Cooper wrote in a post on X following the results. “There’s no doubt — we’ve got our work cut out for us. But North Carolinians have always given me hope and that’s what’s going to get us across the finish line.” Cooper has pivoted to “affordability” issues in his campaign. He recently rolled out a campaign called “make stuff cost less,” which highlights “how his track record of putting party aside to get results for working people will help
“This November, North Carolina voters will have a choice: Safer Communities, Secure Borders, More Jobs and Lower Costs or Roy Cooper’s failed record. Let’s win.”
See CONGRESS, page A8
Michael Whatley