NCGOP leader behind attacks on sheriff Sam Page?

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It appears that a very familiar name to NCGOP activists may be tied to a political action committee producing attacks on Rockingham County sheriff Sam Page.  Page – as you may or may not know – is locked in an already rough-and-tumble primary fight against state senator Phil Berger (R).

Special interest PAC money has been pouring into Senate District 26 – which includes Rockingham County and parts of Guilford County – trying to save the embattled leader of the state Senate’s Republican majority.  We’ve already heard about the National Rifle Association (NRA) protesting what they say are misleading pro-Berger advertisements in the district.

Now, there are anti-Page mailers being distributed throughout the district bearing the name of a group called NC True Conservatives. When you dig into this group, this is what you find:

The group was just founded last month.  The person identified as the treasurer of this Raleigh-based group is named Larry Shaheen.  Could this be the same Larry Shaheen who also serves as Finance Chairman for The North Carolina Republican Party? 

If so, how is this kosher? The guy who oversees state Republican Party funds leading a political attack on a Republican?

(For what it’s worth — Phil Berger appointed THIS particular Larry Shaheen to the UNC-Charlotte board of trustees in 2023.) 

GOP activists across the state have been lectured ad nauseam over the years about staying neutral in GOP primaries. Apparently, that only applies to conservatives frustrated with the year-in-year-out screwing they receive from NCGOP establishment types.

Establishment types are out in force meddling in party primaries from Murphy to Manteo.  You’re seeing it in the state Court of Appeals primary.  You’re seeing it in the US Senate primary. (*Yes, there IS someone other than Mike Whatley running.*)

We’ve seen where actual state party employees aid and abet folks engaged in contested GOP primaries. Of course, nothing was said or done about it (officially).

This year might be different.  As angry as people are out there  — right now — it might make a huge difference and make for some real surprises in primary elections.