Since taking office in 2015, Democrat Jay Chaudhuri has quickly earned a reputation as a progressive problem solver. This 2019-2020 session, Senate Democrats elected Jay as Minority Whip, the second-highest ranking position in the State Senate. Jay believes we need an agenda that grows our economy that works for all North Carolinians, one that invests in education and training, growing small businesses, revitalizing our film industry and creating green jobs, and spurring innovation.

As General Counsel to State Treasurer Cowell, Jay helped develop the first-ever Innovation Fund. After meeting with entrepreneurs and innovators, Jay helped create the first-ever Innovation Fund, a $230 million fund dedicated to investing in and supporting businesses with significant operations in North Carolina. Today, the Innovation Fund is responsible for supporting more than 6,000 jobs across the State. As part of his dedication to building an innovative economy in North Carolina, Jay helped put together the first-ever Innovation Council with then Governor Beverly Perdue. This council works to recommend policies and solutions that would help foster North Carolina’s innovation economy.