Senator Sophia Chitlik represents North Carolina Senate District 22 . Born in 1989 or 1990 , she has served in the Senate since 2025, winning her seat in the 2024 Democratic primary by defeating incumbent Mike Woodard and securing reelection in the 2026 primary against DeDreana Freeman . A working mother, daughter of union members, and women's health advocate, she emphasizes policies on early childhood education, maternal health, public education, healthcare equity, worker protections, women's right to choose, abolishing the death penalty, and support for working families. Notable achievements include passing a child care facility regulation amendment, sponsoring dozens of bills , fielding over 500 constituent calls and 1,400 emails in her first year, and collaborating on Aya Birth & Community Wellness, North Carolina's first Black-owned birth center in Durham. She serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee on Education and Higher Education.

Education and Political Experience

Chitlik began her career as a field organizer for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, followed by roles in the U.S. Department of Labor and Obama White House, where she learned that "people are policy." She later transitioned to nonprofit leadership, impact investing, and empowering women- and BIPOC-led businesses, co-founding Tend and investing exclusively in women-led companies for five years. Politically, she entered the NC Senate as a first-term legislator in 2025 with a dense record of activity, using social media for community updates on safety, weather, and legislative processes.