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Incumbent Phil Berger and Sheriff Sam Page spar over record and spending at GOP forum
Summary
Sen. Phil Berger and Sheriff Sam Page traded charges over tax policy, Medicaid expansion and campaign tactics. Berger stressed conservative accomplishments and endorsements; Page criticized lack of citizen input and large outside spending.
At a Rockingham County Republican Party forum in Wentworth, incumbent state Senate leader Phil Berger and challenger Sheriff Sam Page clashed on legislative priorities, campaign conduct and constituent access.
Berger framed his candidacy around conservative leadership, crediting work on tax cuts, parental rights and economic development. “I’ve led on issues such as parental rights and education, second amendment, immigration enforcement, tax cuts,” Berger said, listing local infrastructure and economic wins he said his office delivered to Rockingham County.
Page, a long-serving Rockingham County sheriff, said he ran because of policy concerns and emphasized accessibility and residency when the legislature is not in session. He singled out recent statewide actions—Medicaid expansion and video lottery discussions—as examples where he believes citizen input was lacking. “What I would like to do is... make sure the people we work for, our citizens, know what we’re doing,” Page said.
The candidates exchanged sharper attacks over campaign advertising and records. Page suggested substantial outside spending on negative advertising before he filed to run; he said he heard “close to $3,000,000” was spent prior to his filing. Berger responded by criticizing what he described as untrue ads and defended his record, pointing to endorsements and legislative achievements.
On policy specifics, Berger defended efforts to cut taxes and limit regulations he said inhibit competition; Page emphasized transparency and reversing recent policy choices he views as insufficiently consulted. Both pledged party unity if not nominated.
The forum provided voters a side-by-side comparison of the incumbent’s legislative track record and the challenger’s law-enforcement perspective; no formal endorsements or votes occurred at the event.
