James Skoufis (born October 18, 1987) is an American politician of the Democratic Party currently representing the 42nd District of the New York State Senate since 2023. Skoufis previously represented the 39th District prior to redistricting from 2019 to 2022.
James Skoufis | |
|---|---|
_NYS_Senator_James_Skoufis_(cropped).jpg) Skoufis in 2024 | |
| Member of the New York State Senate | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | William J. Larkin Jr. |
| Constituency | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 99th district | |
| In office January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Steve Katz |
| Succeeded by | Colin Schmitt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 18, 1987 Flushing, Queens, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Residence | Cornwall, New York |
| Alma mater | |
| Website | Official website |
Skoufis began his political career on the Woodbury town board in Orange County. In 2012 he was elected to the New York State Assembly, becoming its youngest member at 25. He was re-elected in 2014 and 2016.[1]
Background
editSkoufis was born in Flushing, Queens in 1987, the son of a Greek immigrant. His family moved north to the town of Woodbury in the Hudson Valley in 1995. He graduated from Monroe-Woodbury High School in 2005. He has a bachelor's degree from The George Washington University and a masters from Columbia University.[2] Skoufis worked at an electronic security firm and was on the Woodbury Town Board.[2]
New York State Assembly
editAfter redistricting in 2012 following the decennial census, long-time Republican Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun decided to retire, leaving the seat vacant.[3] Skoufis received the Democratic nomination for the seat, defeating Larry Delarose at the party's county convention.[4] In the November general election, he defeated Republican Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey with 56% of the vote.[5] At age 24, he became the youngest member of the Assembly.[2]
Skoufis introduced his first two bills within a week of being sworn in; both were inspired by the aftermath of Hurricane Irene in 2011.[6] Both bills passed the Assembly a few months later.[7] Skoufis was an outspoken supporter of increasing the minimum wage.[8][9] Early in 2014, Skoufis introduced Tuition-Free NY, a proposal to make SUNY and CUNY in New York State tuition-free as long as students fulfill community service and residency requirements.[10]
New York State Senate
editIn 2018, longtime Senator William J. Larkin Jr. retired at age 88. He had served in the seat since 1991. Prior to Larkin's retirement, Skoufis was floated as a potential challenger. After Larkin announced his retirement, Skoufis entered the race. In a good year for Democrats, Skoufis defeated Republican Stony Point Councilman Tom Basile, 54 percent to 46 percent.[11] Democrats also took the majority in the Senate in the same election.[12]
In the Senate, Skoufis was the Chair of the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations.[13]
In 2023, Skoufis opposed plans for congestion pricing in Manhattan, citing the lack of viable transportation alternatives for his constituents. He called the congestion pricing plan "outright theft" and said he would support lawsuits to block the plan.[14]
2025 Democratic National Committee Chair race
editAfter Kamala Harris's loss to Donald Trump in the 2024 United States presidential election, Skoufis announced his intention to seek chairman role of the Democratic National Committee.[15] [16] [17]
Personal life
editSkoufis has a daughter, born in 2021.[18] He has two sisters.[19]
Electoral history
editNew York State Assembly
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James G. Skoufis | 26,325 | 50.22% | |
| Working Families | James G. Skoufis | 2,705 | 5.18% | |
| Total | James G. Skoufis | 29,030 | 55.57% | |
| Republican | Kyle Roddey | 19,032 | 36.43% | |
| Conservative | Kyle Roddey | 3,265 | 6.25% | |
| Independence | Kyle Roddey | 874 | 1.67% | |
| Total | Kyle Roddey | 23,171 | 44.35% | |
| Write-in | 44 | 0.08% | ||
| Total votes | 52,245 | 100% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James G. Skoufis | 15,672 | 46.04% | |
| Working Families | James G. Skoufis | 2,165 | 6.36% | |
| Total | James G. Skoufis (incumbent) | 17,837 | 52.40% | |
| Republican | Richard M. Cocchiara | 12,365 | 36.33% | |
| Conservative | Richard M. Cocchiara | 3,184 | 9.35% | |
| Independence | Richard M. Cocchiara | 637 | 1.87% | |
| Total | Richard M. Cocchiara | 16,186 | 47.55% | |
| Write-in | 14 | 0.04% | ||
| Total votes | 34,037 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James G. Skoufis | 26,971 | 48.04% | |
| Working Families | James G. Skoufis | 2,082 | 3.71% | |
| Women's Equality | James G. Skoufis | 537 | 0.96% | |
| Total | James G. Skoufis (incumbent) | 29,590 | 52.70% | |
| Republican | Colin J. Schmitt | 22,178 | 39.50% | |
| Conservative | Colin J. Schmitt | 3,284 | 5.85% | |
| Independence | Colin J. Schmitt | 910 | 1.62% | |
| Reform | Colin J. Schmitt | 169 | 0.30% | |
| Total | Colin J. Schmitt | 26,541 | 47.27% | |
| Write-in | 16 | 0.03% | ||
| Total votes | 56,147 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
New York State Senate
edit| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reform | James G. Skoufis | 931 | 99.68% | |
| Write-in | 3 | 0.32% | ||
| Total votes | 934 | 100% | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James G. Skoufis | 48,267 | 50.50% | |
| Working Families | James G. Skoufis | 1,862 | 1.92% | |
| Reform | James G. Skoufis | 712 | 0.74% | |
| Women's Equality | James G. Skoufis | 707 | 0.74% | |
| Total | James G. Skoufis | 51,548 | 53.94% | |
| Republican | Tom Basile | 34,195 | 35.78% | |
| Conservative | Tom Basile | 5,080 | 5.32% | |
| Independence | Tom Basile | 4,713 | 4.93% | |
| Total | Tom Basile | 43,988 | 46.03% | |
| Write-in | 36 | 0.04% | ||
| Total votes | 95,572 | 100% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James G. Skoufis | 66,758 | 52.48% | |
| Working Families | James G. Skoufis | 5,356 | 4.21% | |
| SAM | James G. Skoufis | 404 | 0.32% | |
| Total | James G. Skoufis | 72,518 | 57.01% | |
| Republican | Steve Brescia | 48,635 | 38.23% | |
| Conservative | Steve Brescia | 5,963 | 4.69% | |
| Total | Steve Brescia | 54,598 | 42.92% | |
| Write-in | 85 | 0.07% | ||
| Total votes | 127,201 | 100% | ||
| Democratic hold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | James G. Skoufis | 46,686 | 47.61 | |
| Working Families | James G. Skoufis | 3,042 | 3.10 | |
| Total | James G. Skoufis | 49,728 | 50.71% | |
| Republican | Dorey Houle | 43,292 | 44.15% | |
| Conservative | Dorey Houle | 5,004 | 5.10% | |
| Total | Dorey Houle | 48,296 | 49.25% | |
| Write-in | 35 | 0.04% | ||
| Total votes | 98,059 | 100% | ||
| Democratic gain from Republican | ||||
See also
edit
References
edit- ^ "Election results: Skoufis wins Assembly race, Monroe Library budget approved". Photo News. November 7, 2012. Archived from the original on November 10, 2013. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- ^ a b c "Biography". New York State Assembly. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- ^ "NY Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun retiring". Daily Freeman. Kingston, New York. May 27, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- ^ Sullivan, John (March 23, 2012). "Goshen's Roddey joins list of Calhoun's opponents". Times Herald-Record. Archived from the original on November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- ^ "Election 2012 – New York State Legislature". The New York Times. November 7, 2012. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- ^ "Skoufis introduces first legislation". Mid-Hudson News Network. January 5, 2013. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- ^ "Assembly Passes Comprehensive Sandy Insurance Reform Package to Protect Homeowners and Businesses in the Event of a Natural Disaster" (Press release). Albany, New York: New York State Assembly. June 4, 2013. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- ^ Gross, Hank (March 29, 2013). "State budget increases minimum wage". WAMC. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- ^ "New York State's Minimum Wage". New York State. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
- ^ "The Journal News, "Editorial: Tuition-Free NY aids students and state"". Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved July 9, 2014.
- ^ "Our Campaigns - NY State Senate 39 Race - Nov 06, 2018". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved February 4, 2019.
- ^ Kirby, Paul. "39th NY Senate District: Democratic Assemblyman Skoufis beats Republican Basile to take Larkin's seat". Daily Freeman. Archived from the original on January 11, 2019. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
- ^ "About James Skoufis". NY State Senate. Retrieved January 10, 2019.
- ^ Bellamy, Lana (December 7, 2023). "Congestion pricing closer to reality after MTA vote". Times Union.
- ^ "James Skoufis announces bid to lead DNC, becomes third to vie for chairmanship". ABC News. November 30, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ Epstein, Reid J. (November 30, 2024). "After Democratic Losses, a Little-Known Lawmaker Wants to Lead the Party". The New York Times. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ^ Manchester, Julia (November 30, 2024). "New York State Sen. James Skoufis throws hat in ring for DNC chair". The Hill. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
- ^ "Ava Rose Skoufis, meet the world". Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ^ "James Skoufis". MIC. June 20, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2023.
- ^ "NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 9, 2019. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ "NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns November 4, 2014" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 13, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ "NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns Nov. 8, 2016" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 8, 2021. Retrieved November 28, 2020.
- ^ "2018 Election Results | New York State Board of Elections". www.elections.ny.gov. Archived from the original on September 8, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ "Certified Results from the November 6, 2018 General Election for NYS Senate" (PDF). New York State Board of Elections. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 20, 2018. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
- ^ "2020 Election Results | New York State Board of Elections". www.elections.ny.gov. Archived from the original on January 15, 2021. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
- ^ "2022 Election Results | New York State Board of Elections". www.elections.ny.gov. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved December 23, 2022.
External links
edit- Assembly Website Archived 2013-01-05 at the Wayback Machine