Jay Chaudhuri is a Democrat representing District 15 in the North Carolina State Senate, where he serves as Senate Democratic Whip, the second-highest ranking position among Senate Democrats. First appointed in 2016 to replace Josh Stein and elected as the first Indian-American to the North Carolina legislature, he has served multiple terms, winning re-election with strong support such as 73.11% in his district. Notable achievements include leading efforts on funding smaller class sizes , reducing gun violence in schools, attracting technology jobs to Wake County, developing the state's first $230 million Innovation Fund supporting over 6,000 jobs, and helping establish the Innovation Council to foster economic innovation. He serves on committees like Agriculture, Energy, and Environment, and Appropriations on Education/Higher Education.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Born in Chattanooga to Indian immigrant parents who settled in Fayetteville, North Carolina; attended Fayetteville public schools; graduated from Davidson College, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs, and North Carolina Central University School of Law with honors.
• Political Experience: Worked two decades in all three branches of North Carolina state government, including as Special Counsel to Attorney General Roy Cooper and General Counsel/Senior Policy Advisor to State Treasurer Janet Cowell; elected to Senate in 2016 and serving 5+ terms as of 2025-2026 session.