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Jay J. Chaudhuri is originally from Chattanooga, Tennessee. He earned a bachelor’s degree in South Asian studies from Davidson College, a master's degree in international policy and management from Columbia University, and a law degree from North Carolina Central University School of Law. He lives with his wife and their two children in Raleigh.

Jay previously served as general counsel for the Attorney General Roy Cooper and as a general counsel and senior policy advisor to State Treasurer Janet Cowell. 

Jay J. Chaudhuri is currently a member of the North Carolina State Senate representing District 15. He was first appointed to the chamber to represent District 16 on April 19, 2016, and was elected to represent District 15 in November 2018, serving two terms. For the past two terms, he has served as Minority Whip, the second-highest ranking position in the State Senate.

Jay Chaudhuri - Ballotpedia

Jay currently serves as the North Carolina State Senator for District 15. He was first elected in 2016 and is serving his fifth term.

Supports bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing carbon emissions, retiring coal-fired power plants, and increasing solar power purchases from smaller producers.

Supports raising the minimum wage to $15 to help lift parents out of poverty and close the gender pay gap.

Supports raising North Carolina's minimum wage to $15.

Supports doubling the affordable housing budget and legislation for homestead exemptions to reduce or freeze property taxes for long-term homeowners.

Supports legislation to reduce or freeze property taxes for long-term eligible homeowners.

Supports expanding employment protections to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

- Supports bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing carbon emissions, retiring coal-fired power plants, and increasing solar power purchases from smaller producers.
- Supports raising North Carolina's minimum wage to $15.
- Supports legislation to reduce or freeze property taxes for long-term eligible homeowners.
- Supports expanding employment protections to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation.

Economy

Candidate Questionnaire: Jay Chaudhuri, NC Senate 15

Supports gun control measures aimed at reducing gun violence in schools, including extreme risk protection orders, permits for assault-style firearms, raising the age for firearm purchases, and funding for school safety improvements.

Supports requiring permits to purchase certain firearms and raising the minimum age for firearm sales.

Supports gun control legislation aimed at preventing individuals who are considered a risk to themselves or others from accessing firearms.

Supports expanding hate crime laws to include protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, disability, and gender.

- Supports requiring permits to purchase certain firearms and raising the minimum age for firearm sales.
- Supports gun control legislation aimed at preventing individuals who are considered a risk to themselves or others from accessing firearms.
- Supports expanding hate crime laws to include protections based on sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, ethnicity, disability, and gender.

Public Safety

Supports abortion access and has sponsored legislation to codify Roe v. Wade.

Supports expanding Medicaid to increase access to health coverage for low-income residents.

Supports the expansion of Medicaid to create jobs and provide health insurance coverage for over half a million North Carolinians, and advocates for increasing slots for Innovations Waiver to reduce the waitlist for special needs services.

- Supports expanding Medicaid to increase access to health coverage for low-income residents.
- Supports abortion access.

Healthcare

Supports raising teacher pay to the national average, funding the comprehensive remedial plan under the Leandro decision, and increasing resources for teachers and students in Wake County.

Supports raising teacher pay to the national average and funding a comprehensive remedial plan to ensure every child receives a sound, basic education.

Supports reducing class sizes in public schools.

Supports increasing state funding for public schools.

- Supports increasing teacher salaries.
- Supports reducing class sizes in public schools.
- Supports increasing state funding for public schools.

Education

Supports expanding access to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.

Supports stricter regulation of coal companies to reduce pollution.

- Supports expanding access to renewable energy sources such as wind and solar.
- Supports stricter regulation of coal companies to reduce pollution.

Energy & the Environment

As of January 5, 2026, Jay J. Chaudhuri’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Foreign Policy and Immigration

Supports establishing a Nonpartisan Independent Redistricting Commission to draw legislative districts.

Supports establishing a nonpartisan independent redistricting commission to draw legislative districts.

- Supports establishing a nonpartisan independent redistricting commission to draw legislative districts.

Voting & Elections

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Jay J. Chaudhuri

Jay Chaudhuri – E Pluribus Unum Fund

- Your State Senator participates in the legislative process at the state level. They are one of 50 members of the North Carolina Senate. The North Carolina Senate is the upper house of the North Carolina General Assembly (the state's lawmaking body).
- Your State Senator drafts laws, approves budgets, has oversight of the state executive branch, and debates and votes on proposed laws.
- In addition to drafting and voting on bills, your State Senator can serve on committees. This is important because many bills can be stalled in committee, preventing them making it to a vote.
- Your State Senator is responsible for representing your interests. They also are responsible for helping you navigate the state's services and bringing back resources to your district.
- The State Senator is elected to a 2-year term. There is no term limit.