Podcast appearances and mentions of phil berger

Former Mayor Nancy Vaughn thought she was retiring—until lobbying and politics pulled her back in. In this candid conversation, she shares insights on North Carolina politics, the realities of city leadership during crisis, finding common ground, and why she still loves Greensboro. From Boy Scouts bills to George Floyd unrest, it's a raw, insightful look at public service. Prayer for Peace - Mayor Nancy Vaughan YouTube To learn more, please visit our website The Common Ground This podcast is produced by BG Podcast Network. Bill Goebell Social: Bill's Website Rev. Odell Cleveland Social: Odell's Website Odell's Instagram Odell’s Facebook Books available on Amazon Odell's Patreon Odell's X Chapters00:00 Introduction and Prayer 02:16 From Mayor to Lobbyist: Nancy Vaughn's New Chapter 06:57 Lobbying Lessons and Boy Scouts Bill 09:21 Political Insights: Roy Cooper, Phil Berger & More 14:06 Election Losses, Censorship & Political Friendships 21:05 Life After Mayor: Faith, Family & New Council 25:42 Police Chiefs, Common Ground & Crisis Leadership 32:26 George Floyd Unrest and Curfew Decisions 39:15 Greensboro's Reputation, Downtown Revival & Legacy Leaders 46:26 November 3rd Apology and Community ReconciliationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by sharing an interview he conducted with Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page during a Hornet's Nest Republican Men's Club event in Charlotte. Jensen begins the interview by asking Page whether his victory in the North Carolina Senate District 26 race has fully sunk in several months later. He also asks Page which issues he plans to focus on as a legislator. Finally, Jensen explains why he believes the primary election between Page and Phil Berger was historically significant. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with the man who helped ignite one of the biggest upsets in North Carolina political history in this year's primary. Sheriff Sam Page ousted North Carolina's most powerful politician, Senate leader Phil Berger, in March. But for years, Patrick Sebastian worked behind the scenes to help make it happen, risking his entire career.

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger sits down for a candid conversation about the legislative short session and the question everyone in #ncpol is asking: Will the House and Senate actually come together on a new budget? Sen. Berger also reflects on his unsuccessful run for the NC House in 1994, his successful bid for NC Senate six years later, and talks about spending a decade in the minority. We also dig into the pivotal 2010 shift to a Republican majority, Berger's perspective on that transition, and his respect for the way his Democratic predecessor, Sen. Marc Basnight, navigated a change in power. Skye and Brian also run through a packed week in #ncpol: another round of party hopping in the House, budget talks, a brewing dispute over access to water, the passing of a former senator, and a deleted #TOTW salvaged. Along the way, there's also a detour into “slippery when wet” signage at the General Assembly.   The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the American Heart Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Senate leader Phil Berger lost his primary in March to Rockingham County sheriff Sam Page by just 23 votes. When the margin is that close, every factor that influenced at least 23 voters could be considered the deciding element in the race. Berger's support for a controversial casino wasn't the only aspect of Berger's legislative record that faced criticism during the primary.Sheila Mikhail, a prominent biotechnology executive in the Triangle, spent more than $200,000 on the race for a very different reason. She's been advocating for a bill that would require insurance companies to cover supplemental breast cancer exams. Mikhail blames Berger and the lobbying influence of insurance companies like Blue Cross Blue Shield for keeping the bill from a vote on the Senate floor after it passed the House nearly unanimously. She spoke with WUNC News Capitol Bureau Chief Colin Campbell about her advocacy and why she decided to help Page.

As the North Carolina legislature returns, major questions remain as the state remains the only one without a new budget.  In addition, the state's most powerful politician, Phil Berger, lost his primary.  What will happen?  What will get done?  Political reporters Dawn Vaughan and Bryan Anderson join Tim to break it all down as lawmakers return to Raleigh this week.

On this week's show, Rockingham Sheriff Sam Page joins Tim just hours after he being Senate leader Phil Berger in a state senate primary and arguably the biggest political upset in modern North Carolina political history.  Page answers why he thinks he won, his phone call with Berger, how he hopes to fit in in the legislature, the story behind his signature cowboy hat, and what his mother thought of all the attack ads against him.

On this March 31, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with higher education reporter Jane Winik Sartwell about how outgoing Senate leader Phil Berger's influence extends across UNC and state government, including several former staff. Plus who wants to replace Berger, the lastest on NC State and our picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Jane Winik Sartwell Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

North Carolina elections officials faced intense scrutiny over recounts in the Republican primary between state Sen. Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.  WRAL state government reporters Paul Specht and Will Doran break down what we learned about the accuracy of elections in North Carolina — and the processes to verify the count. They also break down what comes next for state budget negotiations and other big policy debates that could dominate the rest of 2026.

Phil Berger's concession, I-77 toll lane acrimony, and comparatively short TSA lines at Charlotte Douglas. Plus, March Madness claims a big name: UNC-Chapel Hill coach Hubert Davis.

Hosts Jonathan Owens, Suzanne Beasley and producer Samantha Cline discuss the week's biggest story: Senate leader Phil Berger's surprise primary concession to Sam Page and the ensuing scramble for Senate leadership. We also break down new revenue forecasts that trigger a personal income tax cut, the resulting budget gap, and what a compressed short session could mean for state services, pay raises, and infrastructure funding. The episode also covers upcoming advocacy plans (Lobby Day on May 6), recent member events like Cherry Hospital, lighter personal moments, and the hosts' takeaways for state employees and retirees.

Longtime state Senate leader Phil Berger — one of the most powerful figures in Raleigh for more than a decade — lost his primary by just 23 votes. In this episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast, editor Tony Mecia sits down with former North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory to unpack one of the most surprising political upsets in recent memory.McCrory walks through how it happened, from local backlash over a proposed casino to shifting voter sentiment and the limits of political influence. They also discuss:What Berger's loss says about money in politicsThe role of endorsements (including from President Donald Trump)How power in the state legislature could shift in the months aheadHow political dynamics in North Carolina have evolved — and what this moment might signal for future racesThis conversation was recorded as a webinar on March 26, 2026, as part of PBS Charlotte's Unspun series, hosted by former Gov. Pat McCrory. Unspun airs at 8 p.m. on Friday nights on PBS Charlotte. An online version, Unspun Unscripted, with viewer questions is on the last Friday of the month at 10 a.m.Today's episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast is sponsored by Child Care Search, a service of Child Care Resources Inc. Looking for child care? Our team provides guidance every step of the way! Search online at www.FindChildCareNC.org or call 1-888-600-1685 for live assistance and free, customized referrals.This episode of The Charlotte Ledger Podcast was produced by Lindsey Banks. For more information on The Charlotte Ledger, go to TheCharlotteLedger.com. 

Thursday, March 26th, 2026 Today, Democrat Emily Gregory has flipped the deep-red Florida House district that includes Mar-a-Lago; North Carolina MAGA leader Phil Berger redistricted himself out of power; a Republican election denier in Wisconsin was just convicted of election fraud; Zukerberg's Meta has been ordered to pay $375 million in a New Mexico trial over child exploitation and user safety claims; a federal judge has blocked the administration from detaining thousands of refugees; Republicans accidentally gave Congress a memo that reveals Trump's motive for hoarding classified documents; and Allison and Dana deliver your Good News. Thank You, Babbel Get up to 60% off your Babbel subscription – at Babbel.com/DAILYBEANS. Thank You, Mint Mobile Make the switch! MINTMOBILE.com/DAILYBEANS →We are ending the $3 Daily Beans only subscription effective March 30th. If you are subscribed at $3 before March 30th, you can keep your $3 subscription for as long as you like without any changes. Guest: Rachel O'Leary Carmona@rach_carmona - InstagramWomen's March@womensmarch.com - Bluesky, @womensmarch - Instagram, Women's March - YouTube, @womensmarchonwash - Facebook, @womensmarch - TikTokCesar Chavez and the Lie We Tell Ourselves About ‘Good Men' in Power | Rolling Stone The Latest:Trump's DOJ Just Settled with Mike Flynn   StoriesUS judge blocks Trump administration from detaining thousands of refugees | Reuters Another appeals court backs Trump administration's mass detention policy | POLITICO Meta, Google lose US case over social media harm to kids | Reuters Trump appeared to have business motive for keeping classified documents, Jack Smith finds | MS NOW Democrat Emily Gregory flips deep-red Florida House district that includes Mar-a-Lago | CNN Politics North Carolina Senate leader, conservative architect Phil Berger concedes primary loss | AP News Activist who pushed 2020 election fraud claims convicted of election fraud | NBC NewsGood TroubleStand Up for Science will host the official No Kings Accessible Rally, a virtual event created to ensure that everyone has a way to show up and participate in the movement to defend our democracy. Built around accessibility, the rally offers people across the country a meaningful way to join the day of action, regardless of location, disability, health status, caregiving responsibilities, or other barriers to in-person attendance. March 28th, 12:30 - 2pm CT followed by a live stream of the national flagship event from the Twin Cities (MN). Sign up here: standupforscience.net/sufs-nk3 Find your event at NoKings.org and No Kings on Mobilize →NoKings March 28th →2026 Primary Election Calendar: All the Dates Ahead of Midterms →Public Comment Period Open: White House Ballroom Proposal →Standwithminnesota.com →Tell Congress Ice out Now | Indivisible →Defund ICE | 5Calls →Congress: Divest From ICE and CBP | ACLU →ICE List  →iceout.org →2026 Trans Girl Scouts To Order Cookies From! | Erin in the Morning Good NewsNo Kings Indivisible Abroad linktr.ee/IndivisibleAbroadNoKings3 www.reddit.com/r/Seattle/s/nEq5N4MWW0 Riverbottom Nightmare Band | Emmet Otter's Jug-Band Christmas | The Jim Henson Company | YouTube →Share your Good News & Good Trouble - The Daily Beans →Beans Talk audio -beans-talk.simplecast.com Subscribe to the MSW YouTube Channel - MSW Media - YouTube Our Donation Links Pathways to Citizenship link to MATCH Allison's Donationhttps://crm.bloomerang.co/HostedDonation?ApiKey=pub_86ff5236-dd26-11ec-b5ee-066e3d38bc77&WidgetId=6388736 Allison is donating $20K to It Gets Better and inviting you to help match her donations. Your support makes this work possible, Daily Beans fam. Donate to It Gets Better / The Daily Beans Fundraiser Join Dana and The Daily Beans with a MATCHED Donation http://onecau.se/_ekes71 More Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - Donate

Phil Berger has conceded. The most powerful politician in North Carolina, after several recounts and election protests, has admitted defeat to his primary challenger, Sheriff Sam Page. Berger has dominated state politics for well over a decade, shaping both policy and power. Now, there's a political power vacuum.

NC State Board of Election Sam Hayes joins the podcast for an inside look at how elections work, including his role leading and he offers a candid assessment of how the primaries went, what lessons were learned, and what it takes to run secure, accurate, and efficient elections at scale. We also look ahead to November, as Hayes discusses how his team is preparing for the high-stakes midterm elections and the continued effort to build voter confidence across the state. Plus, Brian and Skye talk about the political earthquake and aftershock of Sen. Phil Berger conceding a primary, an optimistic economic report, a new Carolina Journal poll, and mounting basketball troubles at UNC and NC State. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, the NC Realtors, Heal the System NC, and the NC Healthcare Association.

Tune in here to this ​Wednesday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by talking with North Carolina Sen. Todd Johnson. Johnson has announced plans to run for Senate President Pro Tem leader following the unexpected electoral loss of longtime Senate leader Phil Berger. Jensen begins by asking Johnson about his reaction to Berger conceding his race to Sheriff Sam Page. Johnson expresses surprise at Berger’s defeat, noting that many supporters had hoped for his victory. Later, Jensen talks with former Charlotte-Mecklenburg school board member Lisa Cline. She is brought in to analyze the new CMS budget proposal for the 2026-27 school year. While she acknowledges that the district attempted to keep the budget relatively minimal, several elements raise concerns. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode is presented by Create A Video – North Carolina's most powerful Republican lawmaker - Sen. Phil Berger - concedes in election defeat. Also, a quadruple amputee is accused of shooting a man to death while driving. Plus, a former "Bostonian of the Year" pleads guilty to defrauding her own charity to fund her lavish lifestyle. Subscribe to the podcast at: https://ThePetePod.com/ All the links to Pete's Prep are free: https://patreon.com/petekalinershow Media Bias Check: GroundNews promo code! Advertising and Booking inquiries: Pete@ThePeteKalinerShow.com Get exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's show, longtime and top North Carolina Republican consultant Paul Shumaker joins Tim to talk about why North Carolina's most powerful politician, Phil Berger, has likely lost his primary race and what it means for the future of the party.  They also talk about the impact of Iran and prices on the midterm elections, especially in the nation's most closely U.S. Senate race here in North Carolina.  Finally, Shumaker discusses Senator Thom Tillis' newfound independence in Washington, D.C. as his final year in office winds down. Shumaker has been a top consultant for over four decades, prominently representing U.S. Senators Thom Tillis and Richard Burr, among others.

On this March 24, 2026 episode of The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, Under the Dome, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by politics reporters Esther Frances and Kyle Ingram for the latest news on the still-undecided primary election between Republican Senate leader Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page. The race is in a second recount. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests:  Kyle Ingram & Esther Frances Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for March 24, 2026A North Carolina State Primary Race Separated by 23 Votes is Likely to End Up in Court After a Second RecountA North Carolina state senate primary race separated by only 23 votes and marred by accusations of dirty tricks and dark money, will face a partial second recount.  Like last year's state supreme court race, this one is likely headed to courtSome podcasting platforms strip out our links.  To read our resources and see the whole script of today's report, please go to our website at https://AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgToday's LinksArticles & Resources:WUNC - Outside groups boosted campaign to oust NC Sen. Phil Berger — some with ties to DemocratsCaroline Public Press - NC Senate leader trailing primary challenger after recount seeks another recount The Carolina Journal - Berger challenges 13 ballots in tight race against PageWUNC - Sen. Berger calls for second recount in close race, but will it include all ballots? NC Newsline - NC Sen. Berger alleges Page's campaign is intimidating voters who say they received the wrong ballotNC State Board of Elections - State Board to Select Precincts at Random for Partial Hand Recount in Senate District 26 ContestRelated ADM Reports:American Democracy Minute - (2025) Federal Court Settles North Carolina Supreme Court Race, Heading Off a Dangerous Precedent of Retroactively Questioning Election RulesRegister or Check Your Voter Registration:U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Bluesky Social, and SHARE! Find all of our reports at AmericanDemocracyMinute.orgWant ADM sent to your email?  Sign up here!Are you a radio station?  Find our broadcast files at Pacifica Radio Network's Audioport and PRX#News #Democracy  #DemocracyNews #NorthCarolina #StateSenate #SenBerger #SheriffPage #Recount

Behind in the vote totals, North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger files four election protests, CMS doesn't plan to use makeup days for this year's weather events so far, and Queens University prepares to take on Purdue in the NCAA Tournament.

After a decade in public office, Sen. Graig Meyer (D-Orange) is leaving the General Assembly to head up the state's leading progressive think tank, the North Carolina Justice Center.  Meyer joins Tim to talk about leaving office, the current status of progressives and Democrats in North Carolina, and the shocking news of the state's most powerful politician, Phil Berger, on the verge of losing his seat in the legislature.

Several North Carolina primary elections are expected to go to recounts, including one in a closely watched legislative race.  Senate leader Phil Berger trails his GOP primary challenger, Rockingham Sheriff Sam Page, by 23 votes out of more than 26,000 votes. That means Berger is eligible to request a recount.  WRAL's Paul Specht and Will Doran breakdown the process and how it impacts this huge race in North Carolina politics.

A study reveals several parks and greenways would be impacted by the proposed I-77 toll lanes, the former EpiCentre uptown is set to go up for sale, Sam Page widens his lead over North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger, and Queens University Men's basketball is going to the Big Dance.

On this March 10, 2026 episode of Under the Dome, The News & Observer's North Carolina politics podcast, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan is joined by reporters Nathan Collins and Kyle Ingram to talk about the primary that isn't decided yet: Senate leader Phil Berger vs. Sheriff Sam Page. From what it was like being in the room with the candidates on election night to the latest in ballot counting and what's next. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

An especially noteworthy 2026 primary election has come and gone, and there were a lot of important and high-profile outcomes – some expected and some surprising. Topping the list of predicted results were the outcomes in the Democratic and Republican U.S. Senate primaries, where former Gov. Roy Cooper and GOP party official Michael Whatley cruised to easy wins and are now set for what all expect to be an expensive November showdown. Interestingly, however, despite its national importance, the Senate primaries were partially overshadowed by a Republican primary in a state Senate race in which longtime Senate leader Phil Berger and Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page are headed for a recount. NC Newsline caught up with Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper to review these and other results. Click here to listen to the full interview with Western Carolina University political science professor Chris Cooper.

Tune in here to this ​Friday edition of Breaking With Brett Jensen! Breaking Brett Jensen kicks off the show by talking with Rockingham Co. Sheriff Sam Page about his Republican primary race against Phil Berger for North Carolina Senate District 26. Page describes the emotional experience of waiting for hours while election officials counted provisional ballots in Guilford and Rockingham counties. Later, Jensen talks with state Rep. David Willis of Union County to discuss the potential implications of the District 26 situation for the state legislature and the upcoming legislative session. Willis stresses that it would be premature to declare the race decided. Additionally, he underscores the importance of transparency and trust in the election process so that voters across the state - particularly in Guilford and Rockingham counties - accept the results. Listen here for all of this and more on Breaking With Brett Jensen. To be the first to hear about Breaking Brett Jensen's exclusives and more follow him on X @Brett_Jensen!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Primary day has come and gone, locally one message from voters is that they want party loyalty. Surprisingly, the Phil Berger race is separated by two votes. NCDOT plans to pause its plan for elevating new I-77 toll lanes for a few months, and North Carolina U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis lays into now former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

Did North Carolina's Primary Just Reveal a GOP Divide That Could Cost Republicans in November?Can Republicans Hold the Line in a Changing Political Landscape?North Carolina's March 3 primary delivered more than just winners and losers. It revealed deep-seated political fault lines within the Republican Party and raised serious questions about what comes next.In this episode of #GoRight with Peter Boykin, we break down the shocking two-vote showdown between Senate leader Phil Berger and Sheriff Sam Page, the implications of the Roy Cooper vs Michael Whatley U.S. Senate race, and what the results in Alamance County and across North Carolina tell us about the future of Republican politics.Are grassroots movements overtaking establishment power?Do endorsements really decide elections?And can Republicans unify after bruising primaries in time to win in November?From the perspective of a Constitutionalist for Liberty, this episode delves beyond the headlines to explore the deeper lesson of this election cycle: how money, endorsements, grassroots activism, and constitutional principles intersect within a modern political battlefield.Because winning a primary is one thing.Winning the future of the Constitutional Republic is another.Watch and Listen:https://rumble.com/v76pw58-did-north-carolinas-primary-just-reveal-a-gop-divide-that-could-cost-republ.htmlhttps://youtu.be/rjiVaFAsOZMhttps://www.spreaker.com/episode/can-republicans-hold-the-line-in-a-changing-political-landscape--70506440Read the full article here:https://gorightnews.com/did-north-carolinas-primary-just-reveal-a-gop-divide-that-could-cost-republicans-in-november/Follow Go Right NewsWebsite: https://GoRightNews.comWatch on Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/GoRightListen on Spreaker, Spotify, Apple, and Amazon PodcastsFollow Peter Boykinhttps://PeterBoykin.comSupport independent journalismCash App: $GoRightNews#GoRight, #PeterBoykin, #GoRightNews, #NCPOL, #NorthCarolinaPolitics, #BergerVsPage, #NCPrimary2026, #Constitutionalist, #GrassrootsPolitics,#AmericaFirstBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/go-right-with-peter-boykin-the-constitutionalist-for-liberty--3096608/support.

North Carolina's primary brought rebukes to incumbent legislators in both parties, including a razor-thin margin in the closely watched GOP primary challenge to Senate leader Phil Berger. Why did voters reject some longtime leaders in state politics? Why did Berger's home county turn against him in favor of Sheriff Sam Page? And what's next in the vote-counting process and this year's legislative session? To sort through the results, WUNC News' Colin Campbell spoke with Adam Wagner, who covers politics for the North Carolina Newsroom.

One of North Carolina’s most powerful state legislators was in a dead heat with his GOP primary opponent late Tuesday after all of the district’s precincts reported their vote totals. Senate leader Phil Berger, who was first elected in 2001, trailed Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page by two votes Tuesday night in the Republican primary to represent the senate’s 26th district. WRAL's Shaun Gallagher and Paul Specht have everything you need to know about this tight race.

Tune in here to this Wednesday's edition of the Brett Winterble Show! Brett kicks off the program joined by John Stewart from the North Carolina political arena to talk about the statewide Senate race and the stunning shakeups in the General Assembly. The two dive straight into the U.S. Senate contest, breaking down Michael Whatley’s commanding primary performance and the looming general election battle against Governor Roy Cooper. Stewart argues that despite Cooper’s decades of statewide victories, a narrow early polling margin should raise eyebrows and signals a far more competitive race than many expected. The conversation then turns to major legislative surprises, including a wave of incumbent losses and the razor-thin outcome in the race involving longtime Senate leader Phil Berger. Stewart highlights the historic implications of Berger’s potential defeat, calling it one of the biggest political upsets North Carolina has seen in decades. Together, Brett and Stewart analyze what these results mean for power dynamics in Raleigh and the political battles ahead. Listen here for all of this and more on The Brett Winterble Show! For more from Brett Winterble check out his YouTube channel. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gear up for today's North Carolina primary on this new episode of The News & Observer's Under the Dome politics podcast for March 3, 2026. Host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with reporters Danielle Battaglia and Kyle Ingram about three major primary races: Republican Senate leader Phil Berger vs. Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page; both the GOP and Democratic primaries for U.S. Senate, and in the Durham area, the Democratic Congressional primary between U.S. Rep. Valerie Foushee and Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guests:  Danielle Battaglia & Kyle Ingram Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's program: Casey Harper, Managing Editor for Broadcast at The Washington Stand and Host of the "Outstanding" podcast, reports on the new guidance from the Department of Education for prayer and religious activities in schools, the faith

The Knives Thrown Before the Primary Are the Knives We Trip Over After#GoRight with Peter Boykin CommentaryBerger vs Page. Inside the GOP Knife Fight. Is the Republican Civil War Finally Here?https://rumble.com/v72ykd6-the-knives-thrown-before-the-primary-are-the-knives-we-trip-over-after.htmlhttps://youtu.be/PB_pOhEZ1Cghttps://gorightnews.com/berger-vs-page-inside-the-gop-knife-fight-is-the-republican-civil-war-finally-here/https://gorightnc.com/berger-vs-page-inside-the-gop-knife-fight-is-the-republican-civil-war-finally-here/https://www.spreaker.com/episode/the-knives-thrown-before-the-primary-are-the-knives-we-trip-over-after--69398142The Republican Party in North Carolina is facing a reckoning, and it is not coming from the outside. In The Quiet Road of Rockingham, the fight between Phil Berger and Sam Page becomes a symbol of something bigger than one primary. This episode of #GoRight with Peter Boykin explores the growing divide between institutional power and grassroots leadership, between backroom strategy and front-line reality.From quiet rural roads to the halls of Raleigh, this podcast breaks down how investigations, pressure campaigns, one-sided advertising, and internal power plays are reshaping the GOP from within. This is not Left versus Right. This is Republicans deciding whether voters still matter more than insiders.With Civil War era–inspired narration, spoken-word commentary, and hard political analysis, this episode asks the question no one in the party wants to answer out loud. Who really controls the future of the Republican Party, and can a Constitutional Republic survive a civil war within its own ranks?Watch, listen, and decide for yourself.Go Right with Peter BoykinGoRightNews.com | GoRightNC.com#GoRightWithPeterBoykin, #GoRightNews, #GoRightNC, #NorthCarolinaPolitics, #NCGOP, #RepublicanPrimary, #GOPCivilWar, #BergerVsPage, #RockinghamCounty, #ConstitutionalRepublic, #GrassrootsPolitics, #PoliticalPodcast, #ConservativeMedia, #AmericaFirst, #ElectionIntegrity, #GoRight, #PeterBoykin, #GoRightNews, #GoRightNC, #NCPolitics, #NorthCarolina, #GOPPrimary, #RepublicanCivilWar, #PhilBerger, #SamPage, #PoliticalDrama, #NCGOP, #PoliticalCommentary, #Election2025, #GrassrootsVsEstablishment, #ConstitutionalRepublic, #PoliticalAccountability, #NCPoliticsNews, #InsideTheGOP, #PoliticalBattle, #VoteNC, #NCConservatives, #TrendingPolitics, #PoliticalWar, #PowerStruggle, #GOP2025, #GOP2026Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/goright-with-peter-boykin-gorightnews-com--3096608/support.

On this new Dec. 16, 2025 episode of The News & Observer politics podcast, Under the Dome, host and Capitol bureau chief Dawn Vaughan talks with Washington correspondent Danielle Battaglia about candidates who have already filed to run for Congress, and how the Eastern District 1 is the race to watch, with a slew of Republicans vying in the primary to face off with incumbent Democratic Rep. Don Davis. And how a Trump endorsement can change a primary. Trump has already gotten into NC politics this primary by endorsing Senate leader Phil Berger. More on the Berger primary plus our picks for Headliner of the Week. Host: Dawn Vaughan Guest: Danielle Battaglia Producer: Kevin Keister Want even more North Carolina politics news? Our Under the Dome newsletter dives deep into all things #ncpol and legislative happenings. It's sent to your inbox Sunday to Friday. Sign up here. Please consider supporting local journalism with a subscription to The N&O. If you're already a subscriber, thank you! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is presented by Create A Video – Andrew Dunn is the publisher of Longleaf Politics and a contributing columnist to The Charlotte Observer, and he joined me to talk about whether the new North Carolina congressional maps are an "extreme gerrymander." Plus, we cover an anonymous group pouring $100,000 into a primary challenge against NC Sen. Phil Berger, as well as Andrew's attempt to look at the No Kings protests in the best light. Subscribe to the podcast at: https://ThePetePod.com/ All the links to Pete's Prep are free: https://patreon.com/petekalinershow Media Bias Check: GroundNews promo code! Advertising and Booking inquiries: Pete@ThePeteKalinerShow.comGet exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's episode of Tying it Together, host Tim Boyum talks with the man who is challenging North Carolina's most powerful politician. Senate leader Phil Berger has led Republicans ever since they took full control of the legislature in 2011. However, an unsuccessful attempt to expand casinos in the state opened the door for criticism. As a result, Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page plans to run against Sen. Berger in next year's Republican primary. This week, we get to know Sheriff Page, why he's running, and why he thinks he can beat the Berger campaign and money behind it.

Political Science professor Chris Cooper (Western Carolina University) joins Brian for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of North Carolina politics in 2025. They unpack what to expect from the legislative session, the latest chapter in the ongoing saga of gerrymandering, and how Governor Josh Stein is navigating the political landscape. The two also discuss the rise of a new Speaker of the House, Senator Phil Berger's high-stakes primary, the brewing U.S. Senate race, and much more. Plus, Skye and Brian kick things off by breaking down the week's news: a new AI panel takes shape, the September session looms large, a former senator is remembered, the Bill Belichick Era begins, and more. The Do Politics Better podcast is sponsored by New Frame, the NC Travel Industry Association, the NC Beer & Wine Wholesalers Association, the NC Pork Council, and the NC Healthcare Association.

In just one summer week, the nation's most important and expensive race blew up with former Gov. Roy Cooper and RNC Chairman Michael Whatley both entering the race.  They are likely to face each other in the 2026 general election to replace Senator Thom Tillis.  This week, one of the state's most prominent consultants, Republican Jim Blaine, joins us to break down what each candidate brings to the table, their potential pitfalls and who has an advantage some 15 months before the highly anticipated election.  Blaine is a co-founder of The Differentiators and was one of Sen. Phil Berger's most powerful lieutenants.

North Carolina's 2026 U.S. Senate race officially kicked off as former Gov. Roy Cooper and Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley have formally launched their campaigns for the seat where Sen. Thom Tillis isn't seeking another term. To get a better sense of what we can expect from the campaign and the two leading candidates, WUNC's Colin Campbell sat down with two of the state's top political strategists. Jim Blaine is co-founder of the firm The Differentiators and the former chief of staff to Republican Senate leader Phil Berger, and Kimberly Reynolds is a co-founder of the firm Maven Strategies and former executive director of the N.C. Democratic Party. Blaine and Reynolds expect the high-profile candidates and a big impact on the Senate balance of power could result in a campaign that breaks spending records.

This episode is presented by Create A Video – Can NC Sen. Phil Berger's primary challenger be more than just anti-Berger? Andrew Dunn, publisher of Longleaf Politics and a contributing columnist to The Charlotte Observer, joins me to discuss Sam Page's candidacy. We also hit on Sen. Thom Tillis' appearance on CNN and former Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson dipping his toes back into politics. Subscribe to the podcast at: https://ThePetePod.com/ All the links to Pete's Prep are free: https://patreon.com/petekalinershow Media Bias Check: If you choose to subscribe, get 15% off here! Advertising and Booking inquiries: Pete@ThePeteKalinerShow.com Get exclusive content here!: https://thepetekalinershow.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

  President Trump's massive budget bill moved one step closer to passage yesterday when the U.S. Senate approved it 51-50 over the objection of North Carolina Republican Thom Tillis. If it becomes law, the bill will have devastating impacts in our state. Among other things, more than half-a-million people will likely lose their Medicaid health […]

  The first time most people hear about a bill introduced by North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger entitled the “Border Protection Act,” a lot of them think: “Wait — are South Carolina or Virginia up to something?”  And as silly as that sounds, it's no sillier than the bill itself — which has nothing […]

This week's episode of Tying it Together features an interview with Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger, arguably North Carolina's most influential politician, as a new legislative session begins. Host Tim Boyum and Sen. Berger openly discuss Helene's mountain relief efforts, collaboration with new Gov. Josh Stein and house speaker Destin Hall, and other topics in the senator's office. “I don't know that when all is said and done that it's going to end up any different,” Sen. Berger told Boyum when talking about Gov. Stein and cutting deals. “But I am optimistic that we may find ways to address some things that we may not have in the past.” The two also touch on the unresolved N.C. Supreme Court election race, tax rates, and facing a primary in next year's election.

Protests erupt across North Carolina over the still-unsettled state Supreme Court race. Clues emerge in the case of Asha Degree, missing since 2000. And Senate leader Phil Berger is unconcerned about a potential drop in state revenue.

On this episode of Tying it Together, North Carolina's new House Speaker Destin Hall joins host Tim Boyum for a wide-ranging discussion about his new role and working with a new governor. At just 37, he's the state's youngest speaker ever, and he's not afraid to be frank. Speaker Hall also goes in depth with Tim on the major topics of today like Hurricane Helene relief, immigration and much more.  “If you're here illegally and you're committing crimes you gotta go,” he told Tim on the podcast. He added that being rules chair for almost five years with N.C. Sen. Phil Berger has helped him gain experience and respect in getting deals done. The podcast ends with Tim shooting a few fun questions at Speaker Hall.

In a recent surprise, North Carolina Senate Democrats announced a new leader that was not Dan Blue. Sen. Sydney Batch will take his place next year after a decade of different leadership.  Sen. Batch joined host Tim Boyum to discuss her background in an incredibly successful family, working with her husband at their law firm, surviving breast cancer, and how she plans on leading Democrats much differently than her predecessor, and how she will get along with Sen. Phil Berger. “I have a lot to learn. I'm grateful to Sen. Blue to help guide me through this, and I have no doubt that Sen. Berger will let me know exactly how the trains stay on track,” she told Tim in the interview. Sen. Batch added she believes the state is much more purple than the legislature is made to believe due to gerrymandering. She believes in respectfully disagreeing and disputing where possible and standing up for her party's values.

In the wake of the Attica Prison Uprising, BB King performs for the prisoners at Sing Sing Prison in 1972. The Thanksgiving Day concert sparks a new conversation about prisoner rights. Documentarian Daivd Hoffman recalls his time behind the camera, watching BB King perform, and how he softened the hearts of otherwise life-hardened men. Meanwhile, with the surly Sonny Liston as a role model, George Foreman rises in the ranks as a heavyweight. He fights the Champ, Smokin' Joe Frazier, and is held hostage in Venezuela.   FILM/VIDEO REFERENCES Muhammad Ali poem from the Cathal O'Shannon TV show (available on YouTube) Sing Sing Thanksgiving, documentary by David Hoffman (available on YouTube) BOOKS “The Rumble in the Jungle” by Lewis Erenberg “Angela Davis: an autobiography” by Angela Davis  “Hit Me, Fred” by Fred Wesley (autobiography)  “Smokin' Joe” by Joe Frazier and Phil Berger (autobiography) “Smokin' Joe: The Life of Joe Frazier” by Mark Kram Jr.  “By George” by George Foreman (autobiography)See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.