NC Sen. Todd Johnson will seek Berger's job, says he'll 'bring a new look on things'

Dawn Baumgartner Vaughan, The Charlotte Observer on Mar 26, 2026

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

Another Republican senator has confirmed he is interested in the top job in the Senate.

Sen. Todd Johnson of Union County told The News & Observer in an interview Thursday that he’ll seek the position, with the caveat that Republicans are unlikely to choose a new leader until this year’s legislative session is over.

“I think everybody, including myself, is hyper focused on the session — most importantly, the budget, making sure we get a budget across the finish line,” Johnson said.

Longtime Senate leader Phil Berger lost his primary to Sam Page, so will leave his role, and his Senate seat, by the end of the year. That’s opened the door who which senator will succeed him as president pro tempore, which is the most powerful position in the Senate, held by the controlling party. Republicans have a Senate supermajority, and one of them will be the next leader as long as the party keeps at least a majority after the November election.

Other senators who have already confirmed interest are Sen. Michael Lee and Sen. Ralph Hise, who are both top chairs of the powerful Appropriations Committee. Lee is also majority leader. Johnson is one of two majority whips.

Johnson noted that the caucus leadership position of whip is an elected role, unlike committee chairs, who are appointed.

He also said he would “bring a new look on things. I’m not considered in the inner circle and the inner sanctum. Sen. Berger and I get along fine. The folks that have been mentioned (as seeking the position), you have two major appropriators and some other names that have floated around.”

Johnson said he doesn’t have any ill will toward any of his caucus members, but “I have no doubt that I’m not going to be deemed the heir apparent. There’s no reason for me to feel like I would be (Berger’s) choice, because ultimately I would do things a little different.”

“I’m not saying one’s right or one’s wrong, but I would have a different vision for for kind of how we we operate in the Senate,” he said.

Johnson’s Senate District 35 includes Cabarrus and Union counties. He is chair of the Commerce and Insurance Committee and also chairs a budget subcommittee. He’s in his fourth term.

Todd Johnson ready to start busy session and budget work

North Carolina lawmakers did not do their primary job of the 2025 session, which was to pass a budget. Berger and Republican House Speaker Destin Hall are at odds over future tax cuts and spending on raises. The 2026 session begins on April 21.

Johnson listed off major duties and responsibilities of the upcoming session, including Medicaid funding, teacher pay, state employee pay — “the list goes on and on, things that we have to do.”

“There will be an appropriate time that things start shaping up, and my hope is that is after all those important things have been done and handled. We will be going to have to choose a new leader at some point, and my intention will be to put my name in the hat for that,” Johnson said.

He said he hopes that on the first day of session, all 170 lawmakers in both chambers are ready to work on a budget deal.

“Let’s sit down in a room and figure it out,” Johnson said.