Compiled from Staff Reports
It appears to have been the last straw for the NCGOP 3rd Congressional District’s Executive Committee. After Phil Berger failed to pass Constitutional Carry (while Republicans held the super-majority), and rumors continue to swirl about arm twisting for gambling, now much of the NC Senate (under his leadership) went after the state’s entire shrimping industry along our eastern NC coastline.
On Sept. 6, the GOP Executive Committee, which represents the 11 counties in the sprawling 3rd Congressional District drafted, and unanimously passed, a Resolution chastising Berger, part of which follows:
“WHEREAS, as the State Senate President Pro Tempore, Senator Phil Berger, wields significant influence over the legislative agenda, and under his leadership bills were advanced that sought to ban shrimp trawling and raw milk, measures that would have devastated industries that feed North Carolinians and Americans, inflicted harmful economic consequences on farming and fishing families, and stood in direct opposition to core Republican principles of limited government, economic freedom, and protecting the livelihoods of working citizens.”
Bolstering the Resolution, charges of party disloyalty were also included, which could lead to big consequences within the party. All well run organizations have rules. Those in leadership are expected to be a stellar example of following them, leading by example. It is the moral strength of any organization. Weighted scales are inappropriate and no one ought to act as if they are above them, or if it opens the door to weakness, corruption, and even defeats.
Berger is arguably the most powerful Republican elected official in our state. As such, he is automatically an entrusted member of the influential North Carolina Republican Party’s Central Committee, State Executive Committee, quite a few other inter-party structures that involve strategy, oversight, and directional leadership to help the Republican “team.” It makes sense that anyone who helps the other “team” (i.e., Democrats) can be rightfully kicked out of the positions that would make them privy to such information. Indeed, the NCGOP has a guiding Plan of Organization providing for just that:
“Any registered Republican attempting to influence or influencing the outcome of any election against a Republican candidate or Republican endorsed by the appropriate Republican Executive Committee or Legislative Caucus, other than by supporting an opposing Republican candidate in a Republican primary, may be declared ineligible to hold office under the State Plan of Organization at the State, District, County and Precinct level for Party Disloyalty by 2/3 vote of the State Executive Committee.”
As you can see, it is clear that Senator Phil Berger is expected not to assist a Democrat in beating a Republican for elected office. However, in the fall of 2022, there was a race between left-wing Democrat Judge Ed Wilson, Jr. and Republican conservative son of a pastor, John Morris. As many North Carolina Republicans well remember, Berger chose to publicly endorse the leftist Democrat Judge Wilson, Jr.
When NC co-speaker Richard Morgan was charged for disloyalty many years ago in the same manner, a special meeting of the NCGOP Executive Committee was properly called so they could handle the matter. All eyes are on the NCGOP to see if the matter will be rightfully added to the Agenda of the next NCGOP State Executive Committee meeting – rumored to be called this November. All conservative members of the Committee need to clear their calendar and be there.
In 2026, Berger will face a GOP primary challenge from strong conservative Sheriff Sam Page of Rockingham County – a race that many Republican insiders will follow closely.
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