North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger denied the allegation that he is looking for an endorsement from President Donald Trump in exchange for pursuing a redistricting effort.

Berger is facing a primary challenge from Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page.

Recommended Stories

• Russia and Iran agree to $25 billion deal to build multiple nuclear power plants in Iran
• 'Boogeyman' Larry Hogan haunts Maryland Democrats with fears of Wes Moore challenge
• Soros nonprofit says DOJ investigating terrorism links 'without evidence'

“I’ve been watching what’s going on in California with Gavin Newsom trying to steal the Republican majority in Congress,” Berger wrote in response to the report on X.

“We have drawn four Congressional maps in the last six years in redistricting fights with Democrats because of their sue-until-blue strategy. If we have to draw one more map this year, we will. That said, I’ve never spoken to President Trump about this or an endorsement. The Democrats are spreading lies to hurt President Trump,” he added.

Berger has been the leader of the North Carolina Senate since 2011 and first took office as a state senator in 2001.

Redistricting is a hot-button issue in politics. Texas Republicans signed into law a new partisan map last month that aims to give the GOP a couple of seats in the large state. Several other GOP-led states are also considering redrawing maps.

Democrats responded to the Texas effort with a California ballot issue, which would lead to a blue-leaning map if voters approve it this November. Berger had replied to his X post asking if Newsom had seen his response. “Hey, @GavinNewsom, you see this?” Berger wrote.

North Carolina Republicans are reportedly targeting Rep. Don Davis’s (D-NC) eastern North Carolina district for a map redraw. His district comes in as Republican-tilting, though he’s won the last two elections there.

Rep. Deborah Ross (D-NC) condemned the redistricting effort.

“From Texas to Missouri and now North Carolina, Republicans are waging a war on American voting rights because they know the truth — their policies are unpopular, their candidates are unlikable, and they can’t win a majority in Congress without stacking the deck in their favor,” she said in a statement.

“We will fight these corrupt redistricting plans in every single state,” Ross added. “We will fight for our democracy and for American voters who are tired of corrupt leaders silencing their voices.”

North Carolina Democratic Party Chairwoman Anderson Clayton said the effort is akin to a “slimy backroom deal.

“Berger is once again doing what he’s always done: changing the rules, sabotaging the will of the people, and holding critical priorities like Medicaid hostage in a desperate attempt to cling to power,” Clayton said in a statement.

North Carolina redid its map last year, which ended up drawing out three Democrats: former Reps. Kathy Manning, Wiley Nickel, and Jeff Jackson.

As for Berger, Trump has not endorsed the North Carolina leader. A nod from the president could prove critical as Berger faces a tough primary challenge from Page.

Page slammed Berger for the alleged Trump endorsement-for-redistricting deal.

POLITICAL VIOLENCE ON THE RISE IN THE US: A TIMELINE OF KEY INCIDENTS

“I’ve been hearing for a little while now that Phil Berger’s team has been puffing out their chests and bragging that they have President Donald J. Trump over a barrel — because if he wants those maps redrawn, he’s going to have to endorse Phil Berger,” he wrote in a Facebook post.

“I say, if President Trump wants those maps redrawn, that SHOULD come with no strings attached — but I guess Phil Berger doesn’t think so. Let me be clear — our Commander in Chief doesn’t owe Phil Berger a damn thing!” Page concluded.