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The election for North Carolina Senate District 15 features candidates David Bankert and Jay Chaudhuri, the incumbent. The News & Observer asked all candidates in this race to complete a questionnaire to inform voters about their opinions on big issues facing voters.
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Political party: Democrat
Age as of Nov. 3, 2026: 57
Campaign website: www.jayfornc.com
Current occupation: Attorney
Professional experience: Of counsel, Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll
Education: Davidson College (B.A.); Columbia University (M.I.A.); North Carolina Central University with honors (J.D.)
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.: Law clerk to North Carolina Court of Appeals Judge Linda McGee; legislative counsel to state Senate Majority Leader Roy Cooper; special counsel to Attorney General Roy Cooper; general counsel and senior policy adviser to state Treasurer Janet Cowell.
What do you see as the most important issue that you would have control over if you win, and what is your position on it?: Affordability is the issue I have the most control over. I’ve fought in four ways: (1) funding SUN Bucks, a program that helps feed more than a million kids over the summer; (2) as co-chair of the Early Childhood Caucus, expanding childcare subsidies so parents can stay in the workforce; (3) opposing our utility company’s rate hikes that hit seniors with fixed incomes; (4) sponsoring the Real Ticket, Real Fans Act to stop predatory ticket resale so families don’t get fleeced by chatbots.
Name one area where you disagree with your own party, and why.: I support capital punishment for the most heinous crimes like the murder of a law enforcement officer or a mass-casualty attack. That said, I recognize the concerns about wrongful convictions and disparate applications are real problems, which is why I also support criminal justice reform, including restoring the Racial Justice Act.
If a constitutional amendment passes, the 2027 General Assembly will decide how to limit local property tax increases. What is your position?: As a general rule, I do not support the constitutional amendment to cap local property taxes because I support local control and predictable school funding. If voters are unhappy with local tax decisions, they have the power to vote those officials out. That said, if such an amendment passes, there are two key principles that will guide me next year: (1) protect working families and seniors; and (2) protect school funding and local services.
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Should the General Assembly help fund a Major League Baseball stadium in NC, and if so, where?: Yes, and the team should come to Raleigh. I believe the General Assembly should help with funding based on three conditions: (1) significant private funding with team owners carrying a substantial share of the cost; (2) local funding with local authority to raise dedicated revenue if necessary; and (3) community benefits such as local hiring commitments, affordable housing commitments and no tax increases for families.
How should the state regulate hemp and marijuana?: On hemp, I believe the General Assembly should support regulation, not a ban, including: age 21 sales, testing and labeling, and revenue dedicated to public health. I do not support legislation that will put North Carolina-based hemp businesses, including breweries that serve hemp drinks, out of business. On marijuana, I sponsored the Marijuana Justice and Reinvestment Act that legalizes cannabis for adults 21 years and older, establishes a regulatory system, and expunges past convictions.
Should there be a state law about data centers, and what should it be?: Yes. A state framework should include requiring (1) centers to supply their own power and cover grid upgrades; (2) centers to cover their own costs and prohibiting centers from passing on such costs to homeowners; (3) engagement with communities; (4) environmental protections, including water conservation; and (5) commitments to hire local employees. I also support a local government’s right to pause new data centers through moratoriums while they study the impact.
Do you think the economy is getting better or worse in your district, and how?: Like North Carolina, Wake County’s economy remains strong, with the county growing by 66 people a day. We’ve also landed major investments, including BuildOps and Weatherby deciding to move to Raleigh. That said, these job announcements don’t address the affordability crisis (see first question) where teachers are priced out of homes, families can’t afford childcare, and seniors see their utility rates go up. The job numbers are great, but I’ll keep fighting to make Wake County affordable.
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Did you use AI to answer any of these questions?: No.