With primary looming, Phil Berger puts his name on the line

Just two and a half months into North Carolina's legislative session, the state's most powerful Republican, Senate leader Phil Berger, is the lead sponsor on seven bills — the most he's spearheaded since he rose to power 14 years ago.

Why it matters: Berger has long wielded power behind the scenes. One of his key strengths lies in his ability to keep Senate Republicans in lockstep and on-message, presenting a united front regardless of any disagreements happening behind closed doors.

• This year, however, Berger's muscle is more obvious, driven at least in part by the fact that he could be facing a formidable primary challenge next year.

Catch up quick: Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page, a longtime political rival of Berger's, told The News & Observer in February that he plans to challenge Berger in 2026.

• Page, who has been sheriff in Berger's home county since 1998, was a key opponent of the senator's push to legalize non-tribal casinos in the state in 2023, which sparked outrage in his district and across the state. Page has also long been a champion of controversial immigration tactics — an issue that's energized the GOP base in recent years.
• Berger filed legislation called the "North Carolina Border Protection Act" less than two weeks after Page's announcement. It passed the Senate a week later.

Driving the news: Since then, Berger has unveiled two other bills, one of which would eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in higher education. The other would grant the state auditor more Department of Government Efficiency-like power over state government.

• Both glided through committee hearings and passed the Senate floor. All but two other bills Berger is the lead sponsor on have done the same.

The big picture: Most — if not all — of the legislation Berger has signed onto aligns with the Republican Party's priorities under the Trump administration, like cutting government jobs, cracking down on illegal immigration and eliminating DEI.

Between the lines: It's likely the bills Berger is spearheading would pass the Republican-majority legislature regardless of whether he put his name on them, but the sheer number of bills he's leading the charge on has been a frequent topic of conversation among keen political observers.

The intrigue: The last time Berger was the first primary sponsor on more than seven bills was the 2009-2010 legislative session, when Republicans were still in the minority. He was the lead sponsor on 39 bills that year.

What we're watching: The Senate is set to unveil its budget proposal on Monday. Tucked within it could be additional measures that Berger could campaign on next year.