Phil Berger is an American politician and attorney serving as the President Pro Tempore of the North Carolina Senate, representing District 26 which includes parts of Guilford and Rockingham counties. A Republican, he has held the position since 2011 and has served 13 terms in the state senate. Berger began his career in private practice as an attorney after earning his J.D. from Wake Forest University School of Law. Born in New Rochelle, New York, Berger graduated from George Washington High School in Danville, Virginia, in 1970. He studied briefly at Danville Community College before earning a bachelor's degree in sociology from Averett College in 1980. His political influence in North Carolina is notable, including an endorsement from Art Pope, and he is associated with the hometown of Eden in Rockingham County.