North Carolina's 26th Senate district is one of 50 districts in the North Carolina Senate. It has been represented by Republican Phil Berger since 2023. In the 2026 Republican primary for the seat, Berger currently trails his opponent, Sam Page, by a margin of 2 votes.
Geography Since 2023, the district has included all of Rockingham County, as well as part of Guilford County. The district overlaps with the 57th, 59th, 62nd, and 65th state house districts.
District officeholders Multi-member district Senator Party Dates Notes Senator Party Dates Notes Counties I. C. Crawford() Democratic January 1, 1973 – January 24, 1979 Redistricted from the 31st district. Died. Lamar Gudger() Democratic January 1, 1973 – January 1, 1977 Redistricted from the 31st district. Retired to run for Congress. 1973–1983 All of Buncombe, Madison, Yancey, and McDowell counties. Robert Swain() Democratic January 1, 1977 – January 1, 1983 Redistricted to the 28th district. Vacant January 24, 1979 – January 29, 1979 Larry Leake() Democratic January 24, 1979 – January 1, 1981 Appointed to finish Crawford's term. James McClure Clarke() Democratic January 1, 1981 – January 1, 1983 Redistricted to the 28th district and retired to run for Congress. Cass Ballenger() Republican January 1, 1983 – November 4, 1986 Redistricted from the 23rd district. Resigned to assume seat in Congress. William Walter Redman Jr.() Republican January 1, 1983 – March 11, 1987Redistricted from the 23rd district. Resigned.1983–1993 All of Catawba, Alexander, Iredell, and Yadkin counties.Vacant November 4, 1986 – January 1, 1987 Austin Allran() Republican January 1, 1987 – January 1, 1993 Redistricted to the single-member district. Vacant March 11, 1987 – March 12, 1987 Howard Franklin Bryan() Republican March 12, 1987 – January 1, 1993 Appointed to finish Redman's term. Redistricted to the 39th district.
Single-member district Senator Party Dates Notes Counties Austin Allran() Republican January 1, 1993 – January 1, 2003 Redistricted from the multi-member district. Redistricted to the 44th district. 1993–2003 All of Catawba County. Part of Lincoln County. Phil Berger() Republican January 1, 2003 – January 1, 2019 Redistricted from the 12th district. Redistricted to the 30th district. 2003–2019 All of Rockingham County. Part of Guilford County. Jerry Tillman() Republican January 1, 2019 – June 30, 2020 Redistricted from the 29th district. Resigned.2019–2023 All of Randolph County. Part of Guilford County.Vacant June 30, 2020 – July 17, 2020 Dave Craven() Republican July 17, 2020 – January 1, 2023 Appointed to finish Tillman's term. Redistricted to the 29th district. Phil Berger() Republican January 1, 2023 – Present Redistricted from the 30th district. 2023–Present All of Rockingham County. Part of Guilford County.
Election results 2024
2022
2020
2018
2016
2014
2012
2010
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2006
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2002
2000
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