Top GOP legislator tried to convince candidate not to run against NC Senate leader

On the eve of election filing season in North Carolina, Republican state Senate Majority Whip did something she’s never done before: she drove to a candidate’s house to discourage him from running. 

Amy Galey traveled from her Alamance County district to the Eden home of Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, a fellow Republican, who vowed months ago to challenge Senate leader Phil Berger in the GOP primary for his Senate seat. 

Berger has represented the area for 25 years and as Senate leader has led Republican measures to cut taxes, slash regulations, and rewrite state policies to more align with the GOP’s agenda. Page is campaigning on the notion that Berger has lost touch with the needs of his district, and political analysts say the sheriff poses the Senate leader’s first serious election challenge in years.

Page said Galey’s visit was inappropriate and shows that Republican Senate leaders are “nervous” about him beating Berger. 

Page didn’t come to the door when Galey and her husband arrived on the sheriff’s front step just before 7 p.m. on Nov. 30 — the night before North Carolina opened its filing period for political candidates. Page told WRAL he wasn't home. So Galey left a two-page letter with a plea: “I am here to beg you to please not file.”

“Because of the money that Phil will spend, there will not be enough money left over to keep the supermajority,” the letter says.

Galey told WRAL that her move was unusual but necessary. Galey said she wanted to explain the potential political consequences of a competitive March 4 primary between Page and Berger, but had been unable to reach the sheriff for a conversation. 

Republicans hold a veto-proof in the state Senate, which helps the GOP-controlled legislature override vetoes by Democratic Gov. Josh Stein. Galey said in the letter that Page’s GOP primary challenge will drain resources from Berger and his supporters — leaving the party with less money to use against Democrats in the midterm elections.

“I just felt really, really strongly — I do feel strongly — that Sheriff Page has made a really big mistake that is going to do a lot of harm to causes that I care about,” she told WRAL. “I didn't feel like I could live with myself until I knew that I'd done what I could to try to talk some sense into him.”

Page told WRAL that candidates have a right to file their paperwork without facing pressure from state leaders, and that he had previously made it clear to Galey that he didn’t care to speak to her. Page had already heard arguments similar to one Galey outlined in her letter, he said. 

“I just think it's very insulting and self-serving,” Page said of Galey’s visit. “She should be ashamed of herself. Don’t come to my house uninvited at night.”

Galey’s letter says a competitive Berger-Page primary would affect incumbent Republican senators in districts that are becoming more Democratic, namely: Sens. Lisa Barnes, who represents Franklin, Nash and Vance counties; Michael Lee, who represents New Hanover County; and Chris Measmer, who represents Cabarrus County.

“Please do not file so that we have the money we need to keep Lisa Barnes, Michael Lee and Chris Measmer,” Galey said in the letter, which included data showing a declining percentage of Republican voters in Nash, New Hanover, and Cabarrus counties.

The counties “are each getting more and more Democratic and we have to spend more and more money to keep these seats,” Galey wrote, adding: “In 2024 we spent $10 million and Phil raised most of it,” she continued. “If he spends $2 million on his own fundraising against you, then we will not keep the supermajority.”

Page said he’s not in control of how much money Berger spends on his race, or how much money the Republican Senate Caucus spends on its candidates. If Berger is willing to divert money from other Republican senators’ campaigns to his own, “What does that say about the senator?” Page said. 

Galey says she didn’t tell Berger about her plan to visit Page or her letter, so WRAL asked Berger’s campaign about Galey’s statements. A statement provided by Dylan Watts, the director for the Republican Senate Caucus, didn’t echo Galey’s concern. 

"To keep our supermajority next November, Sen. Berger and the 29 other members of the caucus plan to raise enough resources to win at least 30 seats,” Watts said. 

“Sen. Berger will win his primary because of the overwhelming support he’s received from his district and conservatives across the state who know how fiercely he fights for the hardworking people of Rockingham and Guilford counties,” he continued, adding: “On March 4th, Phil Berger will do what he’s always done — help conservatives win as many elections as possible — while Sam Page tries to explain why he wasted everyone's time and money.”

President Donald Trump has endorsed Berger. In a lengthy social media post late Wednesday, Trump praised both candidates and urged Page to drop out of the race and instead work for the administration in Washington.

Asked to comment, Page referred WRAL to a statement posted to social media late Wednesday. In the statement, Page thanked Trump for the compliment and invitation to Washington but vowed to stay in the race.