[{"bio_snippet":"Daniel was born in Kentucky, though his parents had the good sense to raise him in West Tennessee. The son of a pastor and a middle school PE teacher, Daniel grew up in Dyersburg before exploring East Tennessee while attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He moved ","biography":"Daniel was born in Kentucky, though his parents had the good sense to raise him in West Tennessee.\nThe son of a pastor and a middle school PE teacher, Daniel grew up in Dyersburg before exploring East Tennessee while attending the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. He moved to Memphis to study medicine, then completed his pediatrics residency at LeBonheur Children\u2019s Hospital.\nHe\u2019s been a pediatrician at Pediatrics East for the last 8 years.\nDaniel and his wife, Allie, settled in Germantown in 2015 and stay busy raising three wild little boys and a golden retriever named Jedi. Daniel and his family attend Harvest Church, and he\u2019s a board member of Agape Child and Family Services.","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Daniel","fullname":"Daniel Chatham","lastname":"Chatham","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"X1aXTc7VWh"},{"bio_snippet":"Democratic State Senator Jay Chaudhuri of NC seeks re\u2011election in 2026, bringing a legal and policy background and leadership as Senate Minority Whip.","biography":"Jay J. Chaudhuri is the incumbent Democratic State Senator for North Carolina\u2019s 15th Senate District, covering Raleigh, Cary, and Garner. He is seeking re\u2011election in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election for a term that would run from January\u202f1,\u202f2027 to January\u202f1,\u202f2029. North Carolina State Senators serve two\u2011year terms, represent roughly 200,000 residents, and are responsible for drafting, debating, and voting on state legislation, approving the state budget, and providing oversight of state agencies\u202f[1][10].\n\nBorn Jyoti Chaudhuri on June\u202f8,\u202f1969 (some sources list August\u202f6,\u202f1969) to Bengali immigrant parents, Chaudhuri grew up in Fayetteville after moving from Chattanooga, Tennessee at age three\u202f[11][18]. He earned a B.A. from Davidson College, a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University\u2019s School of International and Public Affairs, and a J.D. with honors from North Carolina Central University School of Law\u202f[11][18].\n\nBefore entering elected office, Chaudhuri spent two decades working across all three branches of North Carolina government. He served as a special counsel to Attorney General Roy\u202fCooper, helping lead a multi\u2011state investigation that resulted in a landmark agreement with major social\u2011media platforms to protect children\u202f[18]. He later acted as General Counsel and senior policy advisor to State Treasurer Janet\u202fCowell, where he helped recover nearly $100\u202fmillion for pension and escheat funds and helped launch the state\u2019s $230\u202fmillion Innovation Fund\u202f[18]. Chaudhuri also taught as an adjunct law professor at North Carolina Central University and worked part\u2011time as counsel for the plaintiff firm Cohen\u202fMilstein\u202f[11][18].\n\nChaudhuri was first appointed to the North Carolina Senate on April\u202f19,\u202f2016 to fill the vacancy left by Josh\u202fStein in the 16th District\u202f[1][11]. After redistricting, he ran for and won the 15th District seat in 2018 and has been re\u2011elected in 2020, 2022, and 2024, most recently with 65.95\u202f% of the vote\u202f[1][11]. In January\u202f2019 his Democratic colleagues elected him Senate Minority Whip, the second\u2011highest leadership position in the chamber, a role he continues to hold\u202f[11][14][10].\n\nDuring his tenure Chaudhuri has served on numerous committees, including the Agriculture, Energy, and Environment Committee; Appropriations on Education/Higher Education; Senate Finance; Pensions and Retirement and Aging; Rules and Operations of the Senate; and the Senate Transportation Committee\u202f[1]. He has sponsored legislation on a range of issues, notably co\u2011authoring the Hate Crimes Prevention Act (SB\u202f794) that expanded protections for LGBTQ\u202f+\u202findividuals\u202f[14]. He has also championed funding for early\u2011grade class sizes, gun\u2011violence prevention measures in schools, and economic development initiatives such as attracting a major information\u2011technology innovation hub projected to create 2,000 jobs with salaries above the Wake County median\u202f[18].\n\nChaudhuri is the first Indian\u2011American elected to the North Carolina General Assembly\u202f[11]. He lives in Raleigh\u2019s Cameron Village neighborhood with his wife Sejal and their two children, both attending Wake County public schools\u202f[18].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Jay Chaudhuri - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Jay_Chaudhuri)\n- [10] [Senator Jay J. Chaudhuri - Biography - North Carolina General Assembly](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/S/395)\n- [11] [Jay Chaudhuri - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jay_Chaudhuri)\n- [14] [JayforNC | The Latest](https://www.jayfornc.com/thelatest)\n- [16] [Senator Chaudhuri | North Carolina | JayforNC](https://www.jayfornc.com/)\n- [17] [Senator Chaudhuri | JayforNC | Home](https://www.jayfornc.com/jayfornchome)\n- [18] [JayforNC | Meet Jay - Senator Chaudhuri](https://www.jayfornc.com/meetjay)\n- [19] [Vote Smart | Facts For All](https://justfacts.votesmart.org/candidate/166590/jay-chaudhuri)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Jay","fullname":"Jay Jyoti Chaudhuri","lastname":"Chaudhuri","middlename":"Jyoti","suffix":null,"summary":"Democratic State Senator Jay Chaudhuri of NC seeks re\u2011election in 2026, bringing a legal and policy background and leadership as Senate Minority Whip.","token":"21c05b407caf76b7"},{"bio_snippet":"Mike Chauncey is a Republican Hamilton County Commissioner and former East Ridge Vice Mayor seeking re-election in the 2026 District 8 primary.","biography":"Mike Chauncey is a Republican politician serving as the Commissioner for District 8 on the Hamilton County Commission in Tennessee [3]. He also holds the title of Chairman Pro-Tempore within the commission [12]. Prior to his election to the county commission, Chauncey served as the Vice Mayor of East Ridge [11].\n\nChauncey first entered the race for the District 8 seat in January 2022, challenging incumbent school board chair Tucker McClendon [11]. He was subsequently elected and assumed office, as confirmed by his listing on the Hamilton County government directory and official district page [3], [12]. As a commissioner, Chauncey serves on several key committees. He is a member of the Public Safety Committee, where he acts as a liaison to the Sheriff\u2019s Office and coordinates with Corrections on population management and vocational programming [3]. He also serves on the Public Works and Zoning Committee, which reviews roads, bridges, sewers, and solid waste while coordinating with the Regional Planning Commission on zoning and development [3]. Additionally, Chauncey serves as the Chairperson of the Delinquent Tax Property Committee, a role that involves reviewing and recommending approval of property sales acquired through delinquent tax proceedings [3].\n\nChauncey is currently running for re-election in the Republican Primary for County Commission District 8 on August 6, 2026, with the general election scheduled for November 3, 2026 [1], [2]. The primary filing deadline for this cycle was March 10, 2026 [2].\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Tennessee elections, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_elections,_2026)\n- [2] [Tennessee gubernatorial election, 2026 - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Tennessee_gubernatorial_election,_2026)\n- [3] [Mike Chauncey, District 8 Commissioner, Hamilton County Government](https://www.hamiltontn.gov/District8.aspx)\n- [4] [County Commission Committees, Hamilton County Government](https://www.hamiltontn.gov/CountyCommission_Committees.aspx)\n- [5] [Directory of Hamilton County Government](https://www.hamiltontn.gov/Directory.aspx)\n- [8] [Candidate Lists | Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos.tn.gov/elections/2026-candidate-lists)\n- [9] [2026 United States House of Representatives elections in Tennessee - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_United_States_House_of_Representatives_elections_in_Tennessee)\n- [10] [2026 Tennessee gubernatorial election - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2026_Tennessee_gubernatorial_election)\n- [11] [East Ridge vice mayor seeking District 8 commission seat | Chattanooga Times Free Press](https://www.timesfreepress.com/news/local/story/2022/jan/05/east-ridge-vice-mayor-seeking-district-8-commission/560950/)\n- [12] [Local, State, Federal Contact Information](https://www.chattanoogabar.org/local---state---federal-contact-information)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Mike","fullname":"Mike Chauncey","lastname":"Chauncey","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Mike Chauncey is a Republican Hamilton County Commissioner and former East Ridge Vice Mayor seeking re-election in the 2026 District 8 primary.","token":"WOA37nWIDx"},{"bio_snippet":"Jane Chedester is a Republican candidate for the State Executive Committee District 6 Primary.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJane Chedester is a Republican candidate for Tennessee State Executive Committeewoman, District 6 (Knox County), in the 2026 election, per the Tennessee Secretary of State's official candidate filing list [1].\n\n## Career\nChedester served as a field representative for U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) from 2003 until January 2021, per her LegiStorm biography [2].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [2026 Republican State Executive Committee candidate filings \u2014 Tennessee Secretary of State](https://sos-prod.tnsosgovfiles.com/s3fs-public/document/TNGOPSEC_Filed_2026-03-24.pdf) - accessed 2026-07-20\n[2] [Jane Chedester - LegiStorm biography](https://www.legistorm.com/person/bio/1880/Jane_G_Chedester.html) - accessed 2026-07-20","birthdate":"Tue, 24 Oct 1950 00:00:00 GMT","firstname":"Jane","fullname":"Jane Chedester","lastname":"Chedester","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Jane Chedester is a Republican candidate for the State Executive Committee District 6 Primary.","token":"TfeC7WOLKe"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Gaston County since 2025.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, David Gain-Tang Chee is a registered voter in Gaston County, North Carolina, registered since 2025 (1 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [1].\n\nThe voter file shows David Gain-Tang Chee's year of birth as 1961; NC publishes only the year of birth in its bulk voter export, so day and month are not part of the public record [1].\n\nThe voter history file shows 2 elections voted in since 2025, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [2].\n\nThis summary draws only from the public North Carolina voter registration and history records. No additional published biographical information was located. Voters with personal knowledge of David Gain-Tang Chee can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"David","fullname":"David Gain-Tang Chee","lastname":"Chee","middlename":"Gain-Tang","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Gaston County since 2025.","token":"dcd37a319db15f78"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Clifton Lawrence Cheek is a candidate for Bladen County Board Of Commissioners District 01 in Brunswick County, North Carolina in the 2026 election cycle. The North Carolina primary is scheduled for March 3, 2026, with the general election on Nove","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nClifton Lawrence Cheek is a candidate for Bladen County Board Of Commissioners District 01 in Brunswick County, North Carolina in the 2026 election cycle. The North Carolina primary is scheduled for March 3, 2026, with the general election on November 3, 2026.\n\nNo additional biographical information is currently available for this candidate. Voters seeking more information are encouraged to contact local news sources, the county Board of Elections, or the candidate's campaign directly.\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Clifton","fullname":"Clifton Lawrence Cheek","lastname":"Cheek","middlename":"Lawrence","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"895301f0863bcf54"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"NICK","fullname":"NICK CHEEK","lastname":"CHEEK","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"tuyZi9zHtU"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Tammy","fullname":"Tammy Cheek","lastname":"Cheek","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"oBFhhFDFUs"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Brandy","fullname":"Brandy Cherry","lastname":"Cherry","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"vgO6llSSb3"},{"bio_snippet":"Dot Cherry is the incumbent at\u2011large member of the Gaston County Schools Board seeking re\u2011election in 2026.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nDorothy Lynn \"Dot\" Cherry is the vice chairman of the Gaston County Board of Education and one of its two at-large members, serving a term the district lists as 2022-2026 [1]. She filed on December 1, 2025 to run again for the at-large seat and appears on the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot against Democrat Brenda Eskridge; the State Board of Elections records no primary in the contest [3].\n\nThe State Board's 2026 filing record marks this contest as partisan and lists Cherry as a Republican and Eskridge as a Democrat [3]. The school district's own meeting-schedule page still describes the board as one whose members \"are elected on a non-partisan, county-wide basis with seven representatives chosen from the six townships and two members selected at-large\" [2], and the State Board's own results files for the 2022 and 2024 board elections carry no party label for any candidate [6][7]. The two sources disagree on whether the seat is partisan; the 2026 filing record is the more recent [3].\n\n## Office history\n\nCherry was first elected to the at-large seat in the November 4, 2014 general election, leading a four-candidate field with 23,808 votes to Jerry J. Bostic's 11,950, Rebecca Abernethy Schwindeman's 6,901 and Nick Huffman's 3,411 [4]. She was re-elected on November 6, 2018 with 48,586 votes, facing only write-in opposition [5], and again on November 8, 2022 with 50,153 votes, again facing only write-in candidates [6]. Gaston County Schools is governed by a nine-member Board of Education that \"sets policy and establishes guidelines for school operations\" [2].\n\nHer 2026 opponent, Brenda Eskridge, ran for the board's other at-large seat in the November 5, 2024 general election and finished second to Jeff K. Ramsey, 37,623 votes to 45,793 [7].\n\nDuring Cherry's current term the board has taken up consolidation proposals affecting eight schools. The district says it \"has introduced consolidation-related measures for the 2026-2027 year\" covering Gaston Early College High School and Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences; the Gaston Virtual Academy together with McAdenville Elementary School and Stuart W. Cramer High School; and W.B. Beam Intermediate School together with Cherryville Elementary School and John Chavis Middle School [8]. On June 15, 2026, in the district's account, \"the item related to school consolidation was removed from the agenda as school officials continue to work with county leadership on additional operational funds for Gaston County Schools,\" and the board decided \"to delay taking action on consolidation\" [9]. The district announced on July 13, 2026 that W. Blaine Beam Intermediate School will operate for the 2026-2027 academic year, while the Early College and Gaston Virtual Academy measures move forward [9]. The board has said it \"intends to review possible consolidation-related measures and cost-saving options countywide\" [9].\n\n## Sources\n[1] [Meet the Board of Education](https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/board-of-education/board-members) - Gaston County Schools, accessed 2026-07-31\n[2] [Board of Education - Meeting Schedule](https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/board-of-education/meetings-and-agendas) - Gaston County Schools, accessed 2026-07-31\n[3] [2026 Candidate Filing List (Candidate_Listing_2026.csv)](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/Candidate_Listing_2026.csv) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[4] [Precinct-level results, November 4, 2014 general election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2014_11_04/results_pct_20141104.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[5] [Precinct-level results, November 6, 2018 general election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2018_11_06/results_pct_20181106.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[6] [Precinct-level results, November 8, 2022 general election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2022_11_08/results_pct_20221108.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[7] [Precinct-level results, November 5, 2024 general election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2024_11_05/results_pct_20241105.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[8] [School Consolidation Feasibility Information](https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/board-of-education/school-consolidation-feasibility-information) - Gaston County Schools, accessed 2026-07-31\n[9] [Information from the Gaston County Board of Education, July 13, 2026](https://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/about-us/district-news1/details/~board/district-news-gaston-county-schools-5879/post/beam-intermediate-july-13) - Gaston County Schools, accessed 2026-07-31\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Dorothy","fullname":"Dorothy Lynn Cherry","lastname":"Cherry","middlename":"Lynn","suffix":null,"summary":"Dot Cherry is the incumbent at\u2011large member of the Gaston County Schools Board seeking re\u2011election in 2026.","token":"582dfdcb9386ab87"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"HUGH","fullname":"HUGH BRIAN CHERRY","lastname":"CHERRY","middlename":"BRIAN","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"vKlkO3gMpr"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Patrick","fullname":"Patrick Cherry","lastname":"Cherry","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"lwNadkGzw8"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"CONNER","fullname":"CONNER CHESNEY","lastname":"CHESNEY","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"PNzirFGldf"},{"bio_snippet":"","biography":null,"birthdate":null,"firstname":"Gary","fullname":"Gary Chesney","lastname":"Chesney","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"DYpd5QQbGj"},{"bio_snippet":"Allen\u202fChesser\u202fII is the Republican NC House member for District\u202f25 seeking re\u2011election in 2026, with a background in the Guard, law enforcement, and legislative reform.","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\n\nGregory Allen Chesser II, who serves under the name Allen Chesser, is a Republican member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 25 in Nash County in the 2025-2026 session; the General Assembly credits him with two terms in the House and none in the Senate and lists his occupation as \"Civil Engineering - Technician\" and his military service as \"Army/Army National Guard, 2003-2009\" [1]. He filed for re-election on December 5, 2025 and gives Middlesex as his city of residence; he was the only Republican to file for the seat, so no Republican primary was held [2]. On the November 3, 2026 general-election ballot he faces Democrat Lorenza M. Wilkins of Battleboro and Libertarian Nick Taylor of Battleboro [2]. Wilkins won the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary with 4,964 votes to Harris Walker's 3,734 [3].\n\n## Background and education\n\nChesser's campaign biography says that after the September 11, 2001 attacks he \"felt called to do something and joined the military at 17 years old,\" and that he \"deployed to Iraq with B. Bttry. 5/113 Field Artillery from 2005-2006, where he completed over 100 combat missions as a turret gunner\" [4]. NC Newsline reported the same service independently in June 2026: \"Long before Rep. Allen Chesser (R-Nash) was a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, he was a member of the U.S. Army National Guard. He completed over 100 combat missions in Iraq as a turret gunner\" [5]. The General Assembly records his service dates as 2003-2009 [1].\n\n## Career\n\nThe General Assembly lists his occupation as \"Civil Engineering - Technician\" [1]. His campaign biography states that after returning from Iraq he \"continued serving his community as a police officer with the Town of Nags Head and the City of Raleigh\" [4]. In March 2024, WUNC described \"his job as a vice president with a nursing home operator owned by Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson\" [6].\n\nHis campaign biography says he \"first got involved in local politics in 2009\" and \"has served in various leadership positions within the Republican party (including County Executive and District Executive Committees, as well as County Public Relations Director),\" and that \"before serving in the North Carolina House, Allen was the State Chairman for the North Carolina Republican Liberty Caucus\" [4].\n\n## Office history\n\nChesser ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2018, losing the Republican primary in North Carolina's 2nd Congressional District to incumbent Rep. George Holding, 17,979 votes to 5,612 [7].\n\nHe won the District 25 Republican primary on May 17, 2022 with 3,631 votes to Yvonne McLeod's 3,322 and Alsey Heth Hopkins's 348 [8], and took the seat that November by defeating Democratic incumbent James D. Gailliard 17,903 to 15,128, with Libertarian Nick Taylor at 841 [9].\n\nIn 2024 he defeated McLeod again in the Republican primary, 6,415 to 3,215 [10]. The November 2024 general election was close enough that Wilkins, who had conceded on November 5, later requested a recount; it was one of five legislative races recounted that year. After the recount, the North State Journal reported the State Board of Elections dashboard showing Chesser with 23,869 votes to Wilkins's 23,408 and Taylor's 1,631, a margin of 461 [11]. The Board's precinct-level results file for that election gives figures one vote lower for each candidate: 23,868, 23,407 and 1,630 [12]. Chesser said in a statement afterward: \"This election was a testament to the power of each and every vote... I want to thank the Nash County Board of Elections for their professionalism and diligence throughout the recount process\" [11].\n\n## Legislative record and accomplishments\n\nIn the 2025-2026 session Chesser chairs Appropriations - Transportation, Regulatory Reform, and the House Select Committee on Blockchain and Digital Assets; he is vice chairman of Appropriations and of Homeland Security and Military and Veterans Affairs; and he serves on Health, Oversight, the House Select Committee on Oversight and Reform, the Governmental Operations Subcommittee on Prisons, the Joint Legislative Transportation Oversight Committee and the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Capital Improvements. He co-chairs the Joint Legislative Administrative Procedure Oversight Committee [13].\n\nHe was the first-listed primary sponsor of House Bill 612, the \"Fostering Care in NC Act,\" signed into law as S.L. 2025-16 on June 26, 2025; the other primary sponsors were Bell, Loftis and Alston [14]. He was also the first-listed primary sponsor of House Bill 402, \"Limit Rules With Substantial Financial Costs\" (S.L. 2025-82), and of House Bill 928, \"Allow PTs in School Concussion Protocol\" (S.L. 2025-49), and a primary sponsor of House Bill 50, \"LEO Special Separation Allowance Options\" (S.L. 2025-8), House Bill 373, \"UNC Tuition Discounts for Certain Students\" (S.L. 2025-17), House Bill 546, \"Medicaid Modernization\" (S.L. 2025-64), House Bill 926, \"Regulatory Reform Act of 2025\" (S.L. 2025-94), House Bill 536, \"Physical Therapy Practice Act Mods.\" (S.L. 2026-16), House Bill 372, \"Home-Based Business Fairness Act\" (S.L. 2026-51), and House Bill 517, \"Modify Nonprofit Corp. Act/Charitable Org.\" (S.L. 2026-52) [15].\n\nFor his own district, he was the first-listed primary sponsor of House Bill 332, \"Nash/Rocky Mount Occupancy Tax Changes,\" which cleared final House concurrence 108-0 and became S.L. 2026-35 on July 2, 2026 [16].\n\nIn the 2023-2024 session he was the first-listed primary sponsor of House Bill 815, \"The Loving Homes Act\" (S.L. 2023-82), and a primary sponsor of House Bill 600, \"Regulatory Reform Act of 2023\" (S.L. 2023-137), House Bill 415, \"Stop Addiction Fraud Ethics Act of 2023\" (S.L. 2023-141), and House Joint Resolution 151, \"Term Limits For Congress\" (Res. 2024-9). He was also the first-listed primary sponsor of House Bill 50, \"Pistol Purchase Permit Repeal,\" whose last recorded action that session was referral to the Senate Rules Committee [17].\n\nSpeaking in June 2026 in support of Senate Bill 1018, which would create a Breakthrough Therapies research fund and appropriate $5.4 million to study psychedelic medicines, Chesser tied the proposal to veteran suicide: \"I was fortunate enough to make it home, but many of us didn't make it home. And even those of us that did make it home still fight battles on a daily basis, and unfortunately, some of us are still losing those battles\" [5].\n\n## Documented disputes and controversies\n\n**2024 primary and the Rocky Mount casino proposal.** Chesser's 2024 Republican primary was contested largely over a legislative proposal to authorize up to four new casinos in North Carolina, including one in Rocky Mount. WUNC reported that challenger Yvonne McLeod, an educator who had lost to Chesser in the 2022 primary by about 300 votes, argued \"that Chesser didn't do enough to inform the community about the plan and push back against his GOP colleagues in Raleigh.\" McLeod told WUNC: \"The lack of transparency was huge. Then when they actually did come out and say something, it was the mayor of Rocky Mount primarily and Rep. Chesser and some of the local businessmen that were just pushing the idea of a casino. They kept giving us statistics about this wonderful thing that was going to come without actually giving any of the pitfalls.\" WUNC also reported that \"McLeod questions Chesser's role in the process, pointing to his job as a vice president with a nursing home operator owned by Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson. Roberson has spoken out in favor of the casino.\"\n\nChesser called the casino debate a \"wedge issue that my opponent is trying to use to justify her campaign,\" and said: \"My stance has always been that I don't have the moral heartburn that other people have over gambling and casinos. I believe that it's not the government's job to tell us what we can and can't do with our money. I'm not necessarily pro-casino; I'm not against casinos. And I definitely don't care enough to force it down anybody's throat.\" He told WUNC he would like to see a local referendum if the proposal resurfaced - the same position as McLeod. Two Nash County commissioners, former Rep. Jeff Collins, R-Nash, and the N.C. Values Coalition endorsed McLeod; Chesser was backed by Roberson, most of the mayors in Nash County, and then-House Speaker Tim Moore [6]. Chesser won the March 5, 2024 primary 6,415 to 3,215 [10].\n\n**Dispute with the Nash County Tourism Development Authority over House Bill 332.** In April 2025 the Nash County Tourism Development Authority unanimously passed a resolution opposing Chesser's House Bill 332, which concerns spending of a 2 percent accommodations tax collected by Rocky Mount hotels. The Rocky Mount Telegram reported that Chesser responded with a letter to the authority's members that named its chairman, Robbie Davis, who is also a Nash County commissioner: \"As your representative in the N.C. General Assembly, I feel compelled to correct the record and apologize to you for the misinformation presented by your chairman, Robbie Davis, which led to this resolution. This situation reflects either gross incompetence or deliberate malice, and in either case, you deserve clarity and transparency.\" Chesser's position was that updated bill language provided to the county on March 31, 2025 already preserved the requirement that the funds benefit Nash County tourism, so the resolution's premise \"was outdated and inaccurate at the time of your meeting.\"\n\nDavis replied to his fellow board members that the resolution passed unanimously by the 11 members present \"after all the facts were presented to them,\" wrote that the bill as filed \"would allow Nash County TDA Funds to be spent outside of Nash County\" and would remove the authority's advance-approval oversight, and said he had in fact presented the updated version at the April 2 meeting. He concluded: \"The Facts do matter and in this case the letter we receive ignored the Facts and for this I apologize\" [18]. House Bill 332 subsequently became S.L. 2026-35 on July 2, 2026, after a 108-0 House concurrence vote [16].\n\n## Business interests and wealth source\n\nWUNC reported in March 2024 that Chesser held \"a job as a vice president with a nursing home operator owned by Rocky Mount Mayor Sandy Roberson,\" and that his primary opponent raised that employment in questioning his role in the Rocky Mount casino debate, since Roberson publicly supported the casino [6]. The General Assembly's current member page for the 2025-2026 session lists his occupation as \"Civil Engineering - Technician\" [1].\n\n## Sources\n\n[1] [Representative Allen Chesser - Biography](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Biography/H/799) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[2] [Candidate Listing 2026](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/Candidate_Listing_2026.csv) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[3] [Precinct-level results, March 3, 2026 primary election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_pct_20260303.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[4] [About Allen](https://allenchesser.com/about-1) - Allen Chesser for NC House campaign site, accessed 2026-07-31\n[5] [NC lawmakers seek $5 million to study psychedelic medicines](https://ncnewsline.com/2026/06/16/nc-lawmakers-seek-5-million-to-study-psychedelic-medicines/) - NC Newsline, accessed 2026-07-31\n[6] [North Carolina casino debate fuels challenge to Nash County lawmaker](https://www.wunc.org/politics/2024-03-01/nc-casino-debate-yvonne-mcleod-allen-chesser-nash-county-lawmaker-house-republican) - WUNC, accessed 2026-07-31\n[7] [Precinct-level results, May 8, 2018 primary election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2018_05_08/results_pct_20180508.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[8] [Precinct-level results, May 17, 2022 primary election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2022_05_17/results_pct_20220517.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[9] [Precinct-level results, November 8, 2022 general election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2022_11_08/results_pct_20221108.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[10] [Precinct-level results, March 5, 2024 primary election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2024_03_05/results_pct_20240305.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[11] [Nash County Republican Allen Chesser retains seat following recount](https://nsjonline.com/article/2024/11/nash-county-republican-allen-chesser-retains-seat-following-recount/) - The North State Journal, accessed 2026-07-31\n[12] [Precinct-level results, November 5, 2024 general election](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2024_11_05/results_pct_20241105.zip) - North Carolina State Board of Elections, accessed 2026-07-31\n[13] [Representative Allen Chesser - Committees](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/Committees/H/799) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[14] [House Bill 612 (2025-2026 Session) - Fostering Care in NC Act](https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H612) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[15] [Representative Allen Chesser - Introduced Bills, 2025-2026 Session](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/IntroducedBills/H/799) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[16] [House Bill 332 (2025-2026 Session) - Nash/Rocky Mount Occupancy Tax Changes](https://www.ncleg.gov/BillLookUp/2025/H332) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[17] [Representative Allen Chesser - Introduced Bills, 2023-2024 Session](https://www.ncleg.gov/Members/IntroducedBills/H/799/2023) - North Carolina General Assembly, accessed 2026-07-31\n[18] [Chesser, Davis at odds over NC House Bill 332](https://www.rockymounttelegram.com/features/local/chesser-davis-at-odds-over-nc-house-bill-332/article_ddca8dad-15b5-4ed1-a9cc-18065df2117d.html) - Rocky Mount Telegram, accessed 2026-07-31","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Gregory","fullname":"Gregory Allen Chesser II","lastname":"Chesser","middlename":"Allen","suffix":"II","summary":"Allen\u202fChesser\u202fII is the Republican NC House member for District\u202f25 seeking re\u2011election in 2026, with a background in the Guard, law enforcement, and legislative reform.","token":"d9f9ff9fe924213c"},{"bio_snippet":"Clay Chessor is an Independent candidate for Hickman County Commission District 7 in Tennessee's 2026 election.","biography":"Clay Chessor is an Independent candidate for Hickman County Commission District 7 in Tennessee, running in the 2026 election cycle [16]. He qualified for the May 5, 2026, primary ballot alongside four other candidates: Steve Anglin, Jim Tanner, Robert Warden, and initially Derek Stiltner and Bryan Montgomery before the final list was verified [19], [16]. The general election is scheduled for August 6, 2026 [18].\n\nPublicly available information regarding Clay Chessor\u2019s personal background, education, career history, or prior office holding is not contained in the provided sources. The Hickman County Times articles focus exclusively on the administrative details of the election qualification process and the final list of candidates for various county offices [16], [18], [19].","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Clay","fullname":"Clay Chessor","lastname":"Chessor","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":"Clay Chessor is an Independent candidate for Hickman County Commission District 7 in Tennessee's 2026 election.","token":"i7aTABeR8v"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Durham County since 2014.","biography":"**Ameshia Cooper Chester lost the March 3, 2026 Democratic primary for NC Superior Court, District 16B Seat 02, placing 2nd of 2 candidates with 14,720 votes (31.2%); Myra Griffin won the nomination with 32,512 votes (68.8%) [4].**\n\nAmeshia Cooper Chester is a Democratic candidate for North Carolina Superior Court Judge, District 16B, Seat 2 in North Carolina's 2026 elections. The North Carolina State Board of Elections' 2026 candidate filing list shows Ameshia Cooper Chester filing as a DEM candidate on December 1, 2025 [1].\n\nAccording to the North Carolina voter file, Ameshia Cooper Chester is a registered voter in Durham County, North Carolina, registered since 2014 (12 years), with party affiliation listed as Democratic [2]. NC's bulk voter export publishes only year of birth, not a full date; the voter file lists Ameshia Cooper Chester's year of birth as 1988 [2].\n\nThe voter history file shows 18 elections voted in since 2016, most recently the March 3, 2026 primary election [3].\n\nNo additional published biographical information beyond the candidate filing and voter records was located. Voters with personal knowledge of Ameshia Cooper Chester can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections, 2026 Candidate Filing List](https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/Elections/2026/Candidate%20Filing/Candidate_Listing_2026.csv) \u2014 accessed 2026-07-21\n\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter registration file, accessed 2026-07-21 (https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n\n[3] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), accessed 2026-07-21 (https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)\n\n[4] North Carolina State Board of Elections, March 3, 2026 primary election results (precinct-level canvass), published at dl.ncsbe.gov (https://s3.amazonaws.com/dl.ncsbe.gov/ENRS/2026_03_03/results_pct_20260303.zip)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Ameshia","fullname":"Ameshia Cooper Chester","lastname":"Chester","middlename":"Cooper","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: DEM voter in Durham County since 2014.","token":"d1e93c857d1f4dcc"},{"bio_snippet":"Current office and 2026 campaign Johnnie Earl Chestnut is a candidate for Bladen County Board Of Commissioners District 01 in Wilson County, North Carolina in the 2026 election cycle. The North Carolina primary is scheduled for March 3, 2026, with the general election on November","biography":"## Current office and 2026 campaign\nJohnnie Earl Chestnut is a candidate for Bladen County Board Of Commissioners District 01 in Wilson County, North Carolina in the 2026 election cycle. The North Carolina primary is scheduled for March 3, 2026, with the general election on November 3, 2026.\n\nNo additional biographical information is currently available for this candidate. Voters seeking more information are encouraged to contact local news sources, the county Board of Elections, or the candidate's campaign directly.\n","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Johnnie","fullname":"Johnnie Earl Chestnut","lastname":"Chestnut","middlename":"Earl","suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"0615bc7178340f8a"},{"bio_snippet":"Candidate for Republican nomination, Fayette County Schools Board District 3, in the May 5, 2026 primary. No substantive public biographical information was located in local news, Ballotpedia, or the FCPS board directory. Current District 3 seats are held by Melanie McGuire, Hal ","biography":"Candidate for Republican nomination, Fayette County Schools Board District 3, in the May 5, 2026 primary.\n\nNo substantive public biographical information was located in local news, Ballotpedia, or the FCPS board directory. Current District 3 seats are held by Melanie McGuire, Hal Rounds, and Warner Speakman. ([FCPS Board Members](https://www.fcsk12.net/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=309473&type=d&pREC_ID=2134196)) Chiarella appears to be a non-incumbent challenger. No campaign website was found.","birthdate":null,"firstname":"Joe","fullname":"Joe Chiarella","lastname":"Chiarella","middlename":null,"suffix":null,"summary":null,"token":"U1ixPNTlkS"},{"bio_snippet":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Camden County since 2021.","biography":"According to the North Carolina voter file, David Earl Chick is a registered voter in Camden County, North Carolina, registered since 2021 (5 years), with party affiliation listed as Republican [1].\n\nThe voter file shows David Earl Chick's year of birth as 1977; NC publishes only the year of birth in its bulk voter export, so day and month are not part of the public record [1].\n\nThe voter history file shows 4 elections voted in since 2022, most recently the 2026-03-03 primary election [2].\n\nThis summary draws only from the public North Carolina voter registration and history records. No additional published biographical information was located. Voters with personal knowledge of David Earl Chick can reach ballotproject.org with corrections or additions.\n\n## Sources\n[1] [North Carolina State Board of Elections \u2014 Voter Search](https://vt.ncsbe.gov/RegLkup/)\n\n[2] North Carolina State Board of Elections voter history file (`ncvhis_Statewide`), published at [dl.ncsbe.gov](https://dl.ncsbe.gov/)","birthdate":null,"firstname":"David","fullname":"David Earl Chick","lastname":"Chick","middlename":"Earl","suffix":null,"summary":"Per the NC voter file: REP voter in Camden County since 2021.","token":"10a351d928efd48e"}]