James Skoufis

Skoufis 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.{{cite web|title=Biography|url=https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/James-Skoufis/bio/|publisher=New York State Assembly|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=November 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181128075145/https://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/James-Skoufis/bio/|url-status=dead}} Skoufis worked at Amerigard Alarm & Security Corporation and was on the Woodbury Town Board.

After redistricting in 2012 following the decennial census, long-time Republican Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun decided to retire, leaving the seat vacant.{{cite news|title=NY Assemblywoman Nancy Calhoun retiring|url=https://www.dailyfreeman.com/news/ny-assemblywoman-nancy-calhoun-retiring/article_6cf34925-28b7-59f0-8da3-55cd32a82b63.html|newspaper=Daily Freeman|location=Kingston, New York|date=May 27, 2012|access-date=November 27, 2018}} Skoufis received the Democratic nomination for the seat, defeating Larry Delarose at the party's county convention.{{cite news|last=Sullivan|first=John|url=http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120323/NEWS/203230375&cid=sitesearch|title=Goshen's Roddey joins list of Calhoun's opponents|newspaper=Times Herald-Record|date=March 23, 2012|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=November 25, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125040710/https://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20120323/NEWS/203230375&cid=sitesearch|url-status=dead}} In the November general election, he defeated Republican Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey with 56% of the vote.{{cite news|title=Election 2012 – New York State Legislature|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/2012/results/states/new-york/legislature.html|newspaper=The New York Times|date=November 7, 2012|access-date=November 27, 2018}} At age 24, he became the youngest member of the Assembly.

Skoufis introduced his first two bills within a week of being sworn in; both were inspired by the aftermath of Hurricane Irene in 2011.{{cite news|title=Skoufis introduces first legislation|url=http://midhudsonnews.com/News/2013/January/05/Skoufis_legis-05Jan13.html|newspaper=Mid-Hudson News Network|date=January 5, 2013|access-date=November 27, 2018|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304074222/http://midhudsonnews.com/News/2013/January/05/Skoufis_legis-05Jan13.html|url-status=dead}} Both bills passed the Assembly a few months later.{{cite press release |author= |title=Assembly Passes Comprehensive Sandy Insurance Reform Package to Protect Homeowners and Businesses in the Event of a Natural Disaster|url=https://nyassembly.gov/Press/20130604a/|location=Albany, New York|publisher=New York State Assembly|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=November 27, 2018}} Skoufis was an outspoken supporter of increasing the minimum wage.{{cite news|last=Gross|first=Hank|title=State budget increases minimum wage|url=https://www.wamc.org/post/state-budget-increases-minimum-wage|newspaper=WAMC|date=March 29, 2013|access-date=November 27, 2018}}{{cite web|title=New York State's Minimum Wage|url=https://www.ny.gov/new-york-states-minimum-wage/new-york-states-minimum-wage|publisher=New York State|access-date=November 27, 2018}} 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.{{Cite web |url=http://archive.lohud.com/article/20140222/OPINION/302220025/Editorial-Tuition-Free-NY-aids-students-state |title=The Journal News, "Editorial: Tuition-Free NY aids students and state" |access-date=2014-07-09 |archive-date=2014-07-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714164949/http://archive.lohud.com/article/20140222/OPINION/302220025/Editorial-Tuition-Free-NY-aids-students-state |url-status=dead }}

In 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=858104|title=Our Campaigns - NY State Senate 39 Race - Nov 06, 2018|website=www.ourcampaigns.com|access-date=2019-02-04}} Democrats also took the majority in the Senate in the same election.{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailyfreeman.com/news/elections/th-ny-senate-district-democratic-assemblyman-skoufis-beats-republican-basile/article_4791fe3c-e1e3-11e8-a188-3727463724d0.html|title=39th NY Senate District: Democratic Assemblyman Skoufis beats Republican Basile to take Larkin's seat|first=Paul|last=Kirby|website=Daily Freeman|language=en|access-date=2019-01-10|archive-date=2019-01-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111121351/https://www.dailyfreeman.com/news/elections/th-ny-senate-district-democratic-assemblyman-skoufis-beats-republican-basile/article_4791fe3c-e1e3-11e8-a188-3727463724d0.html|url-status=dead}}

In the Senate, Skoufis was the Chair of the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations.{{Cite web|url=https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/james-skoufis/about|title=About James Skoufis|website=NY State Senate|language=en|access-date=2019-01-10}}

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.{{Cite web |last=Bellamy |first=Lana |date=2023-12-07 |title=Congestion pricing closer to reality after MTA vote |url=https://www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley/news/article/mta-congestion-pricing-vote-18537642.php |website=Times Union |language=en}}

After 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.{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=November 30, 2024 |title=James Skoufis announces bid to lead DNC, becomes third to vie for chairmanship |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/james-skoufis-announces-bid-lead-dnc-vie-chairmanship/story?id=116337908 |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=ABC News |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Epstein |first=Reid J. |date=November 30, 2024 |title=After Democratic Losses, a Little-Known Lawmaker Wants to Lead the Party |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/11/30/us/politics/skoufis-democratic-national-commitee-chair.html |access-date=December 1, 2023 |work=The New York Times}}{{Cite web |last=Manchester |first=Julia |date=2024-11-30 |title=New York State Sen. James Skoufis throws hat in ring for DNC chair |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5015757-new-york-james-skoufis-democratic-national-committee-leadership-election/ |access-date=2024-12-01 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}

While running for the chairman, Skoufis declared his aspiration to "dismantle" the Green Party.{{Cite web |date=2025-01-14 |title=New York State Senator James Skoufis Expresses Desire to Dismantle the Green Party |url=https://ballot-access.org/2025/01/14/new-york-state-senator-james-skoufis-expresses-desire-to-dismantle-the-green-party/ |access-date=2025-01-14 |language=en-US}}

On January 16, 2025, Skoufis announced that he withdrew from the race and endorsed Ken Martin for the chairmanship.{{Cite web |title=New York state Sen. James Skoufis ends bid for DNC chair |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/hudson-valley/politics/2025/01/16/new-york-state-sen--james-skoufis-ends-bid-for-dnc-chair |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=Spectrum News 1 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Elena |date=2025-01-16 |title=Ken Martin gets another endorsement in DNC race as James Skoufis drops out |url=https://www.politico.com/news/2025/01/16/dnc-race-james-skoufis-drops-out-00198589 |access-date=2025-01-21 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}

Skoufis has a daughter, born in 2021.{{cite web |title=Ava Rose Skoufis, meet the world. |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/CNc7fSPgLLu/ |access-date=January 3, 2023}} He has two sisters.{{cite news |date=June 20, 2014 |title=James Skoufis |newspaper=MIC |url=https://www.mic.com/profile/james-skoufis-16304899 |access-date=August 19, 2023}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2012 New York's 99th assembly district election{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2012/General/AD_04-09-2013.pdf|title=NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns Nov. 6, 2012|website=New York State Board of Elections|access-date=November 28, 2020|archive-date=June 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609230447/https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2012/General/AD_04-09-2013.pdf|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=26,325|percentage=50.22%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Working Families Party|votes=2,705|percentage=5.18%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Total|votes=29,030|percentage=55.57%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Kyle Roddey|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=19,032|percentage=36.43%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Kyle Roddey|party=Conservative Party of New York|votes=3,265|percentage=6.25%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Kyle Roddey|party=Independence Party of New York|votes=874|percentage=1.67%}}

{{Election box candidate no change|candidate=Kyle Roddey|party=Total|votes=23,171|percentage=44.35%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change|votes=44|percentage=0.08%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=52,245|percentage=100%}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change|winner=Democratic Party (United States)|loser=Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2014 New York's 99th assembly district election{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2014/general/2014Assembly.pdf|title=NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns November 4, 2014|website=New York State Board of Elections|access-date=November 28, 2020|archive-date=November 13, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221113044659/https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2014/general/2014Assembly.pdf|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=15,672|percentage=46.04%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Working Families Party|votes=2,165|percentage=6.36%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis (incumbent)|party=Total|votes=17,837|percentage=52.40%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Richard M. Cocchiara|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=12,365|percentage=36.33%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Richard M. Cocchiara|party=Conservative Party of New York|votes=3,184|percentage=9.35%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Richard M. Cocchiara|party=Independence Party of New York|votes=637|percentage=1.87%}}

{{Election box candidate no change|candidate=Richard M. Cocchiara|party=Total|votes=16,186|percentage=47.55%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change|votes=14|percentage=0.04%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=34,037|percentage=100%}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2016 New York's 99th assembly district election{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2016/General/2016Assembly.pdf|title=NYS Board of Elections Assembly Election Returns Nov. 8, 2016|website=New York State Board of Elections|access-date=November 28, 2020|archive-date=January 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210108183703/https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2016/General/2016Assembly.pdf|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=26,971|percentage=48.04%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Working Families Party|votes=2,082|percentage=3.71%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Women's Equality Party (New York)|votes=537|percentage=0.96%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis (incumbent)|party=Total|votes=29,590|percentage=52.70%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Colin J. Schmitt|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=22,178|percentage=39.50%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Colin J. Schmitt|party=Conservative Party of New York|votes=3,284|percentage=5.85%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Colin J. Schmitt|party=Independence Party of New York|votes=910|percentage=1.62%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Colin J. Schmitt|party=Reform Party of New York State|votes=169|percentage=0.30%}}

{{Election box candidate no change|candidate=Colin J. Schmitt|party=Total|votes=26,541|percentage=47.27%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change|votes=16|percentage=0.03%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=56,147|percentage=100%}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2018 New York's 39th senatorial district Reform Party primary{{Cite web|title=2018 Election Results {{!}} New York State Board of Elections|url=https://www.elections.ny.gov/2018ElectionResults.html|access-date=2020-11-27|website=www.elections.ny.gov|archive-date=September 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210908023248/https://www.elections.ny.gov/2018ElectionResults.html|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Reform Party of New York State|votes=931|percentage=99.68%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change|votes=3|percentage=0.32%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=934|percentage=100%}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2018 New York's 39th senatorial district election{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2018/general/2018NYSenate.pdf|title=Certified Results from the November 6, 2018 General Election for NYS Senate|website=New York State Board of Elections|access-date=November 27, 2020|archive-date=December 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181220231112/https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2018/general/2018NYSenate.pdf|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=48,267|percentage=50.50%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Working Families Party|votes=1,862|percentage=1.92%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Reform Party of New York State|votes=712|percentage=0.74%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Women's Equality Party (New York)|votes=707|percentage=0.74%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Total|votes=51,548|percentage=53.94%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Tom Basile|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=34,195|percentage=35.78%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Tom Basile|party=Conservative Party of New York|votes=5,080|percentage=5.32%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Tom Basile|party=Independence Party of New York|votes=4,713|percentage=4.93%}}

{{Election box candidate no change|candidate=Tom Basile|party=Total|votes=43,988|percentage=46.03%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change|votes=36|percentage=0.04%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=95,572|percentage=100%}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change|winner=Democratic Party (United States)|loser=Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2020 New York's 39th senatorial district election{{Cite web|title=2020 Election Results {{!}} New York State Board of Elections|url=https://www.elections.ny.gov/2020ElectionResults.html|access-date=2020-12-04|website=www.elections.ny.gov|archive-date=January 15, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210115175352/https://www.elections.ny.gov/2020ElectionResults.html|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=66,758|percentage=52.48%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Working Families Party|votes=5,356|percentage=4.21%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Serve America Movement|votes=404|percentage=0.32%}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Total|votes=72,518|percentage=57.01%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Steve Brescia|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=48,635|percentage=38.23%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Steve Brescia|party=Conservative Party of New York|votes=5,963|percentage=4.69%}}

{{Election box candidate no change|candidate=Steve Brescia|party=Total|votes=54,598|percentage=42.92%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change|votes=85|percentage=0.07%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=127,201|percentage=100%}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Democratic Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2022 New York's 42nd senatorial district election{{Cite web|title=2022 Election Results {{!}} New York State Board of Elections|url=https://www.elections.ny.gov/2022ElectionResults.html|access-date=2022-12-23|website=www.elections.ny.gov|archive-date=January 13, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230113022048/https://www.elections.ny.gov/2022ElectionResults.html|url-status=dead}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=46,686|percentage=47.61}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Working Families Party|votes=3,042|percentage=3.10}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Total|votes=49,728|percentage=50.71%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Dorey Houle|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=43,292|percentage=44.15%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Dorey Houle|party=Conservative Party of New York|votes=5,004|percentage=5.10%}}

{{Election box candidate no change|candidate=Dorey Houle|party=Total|votes=48,296|percentage=49.25%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change|votes=35|percentage=0.04%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=98,059|percentage=100%}}

{{Election box gain with party link no change|winner=Democratic Party (United States)|loser=Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no change|title=2024 New York's 42nd senatorial district election{{Cite web|url=https://elections.ny.gov/certified-november-5-2024-general-election-results-approved-12092024|title=Certified November 5, 2024 General Election Results, approved 12.09.2024|website=New York State Board of Elections|access-date=December 28, 2024}}}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Democratic Party (United States)|votes=68,764|percentage=51.01}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Working Families Party|votes=4,656|percentage=3.45}}

{{Election box winning candidate no change|candidate=James G. Skoufis|party=Total|votes=73,420|percentage=54.46%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Dorey F. Houle|party=Republican Party (United States)|votes=54,614|percentage=40.51%}}

{{Election box candidate with party link no change|candidate=Timothy Mitts|party=Conservative Party of New York|votes=6,694|percentage=4.97%}}

{{Election box write-in with party link no change|votes=77|percentage=0.06%}}

{{Election box total no change|votes=134,805|percentage=100%}}

{{Election box hold with party link no change|winner=Democratic Party (United States)|loser=Republican Party (United States)}}

{{Election box end}}

{{portal|Biography|Hudson Valley}}

• List of Columbia University alumni
• List of George Washington University alumni
• List of Greek Americans

{{Reflist|2}}

• [http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/James-Skoufis Assembly Website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130105203743/http://assembly.state.ny.us/mem/James-Skoufis |date=2013-01-05 }}

{{s-start}}

{{s-par|us-ny-hs}}

{{s-bef|before=Steve Katz}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the New York Assembly
from the 99th district|years=2013–2018}}

{{s-aft|after=Colin Schmitt}}

|-

{{s-par|us-ny-sen}}

{{s-bef|before=William J. Larkin Jr.}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the New York Senate
from the 39th district|years=2019–2022}}

{{s-aft|after=Robert Rolison}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=Mike Martucci}}

{{s-ttl|title=Member of the New York Senate
from the 42nd district|years=2023–present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-end}}

{{New York State Senate}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Skoufis, James}}

Category:Living people

Category:1987 births

Category:Democratic Party New York (state) state senators

Category:Democratic Party members of the New York State Assembly

Category:American people of Greek descent

Category:George Washington University alumni

Category:Columbia University alumni

Category:People from Flushing, Queens

Category:Politicians from Queens, New York

Category:People from Woodbury, Orange County, New York

Category:21st-century members of the New York State Legislature