James Skoufis

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.

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. He ran for Chair of the Democratic National Committee in the 2025 chairmanship election. Skoufis worked at Amerigard Alarm & Security Corporation and was on the Woodbury Town Board. Skoufis received the Democratic nomination for the seat, defeating Larry Delarose at the party's county convention. In the November general election, he defeated Republican Goshen Mayor Kyle Roddey with 56% of the vote. At age 24, he became the youngest member of the Assembly. Both bills passed the Assembly a few months later. Skoufis was an outspoken supporter of increasing the minimum wage. 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.

New York State Senate 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. Democrats also took the majority in the Senate in the same election.

In the Senate, Skoufis was the Chair of the Committee on Investigations and Government Operations.

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.

2025 Democratic National Committee Chair race 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.

While running for the chairman, Skoufis declared his aspiration to "dismantle" the Green Party.

On January 16, 2025, Skoufis announced that he withdrew from the race and endorsed Ken Martin for the chairmanship.

Personal life Skoufis married Hillary Lynn Stuchin on May 20, 2017. They have a daughter, born in 2021. He has two sisters.

Electoral history New York State Assembly

New York State Senate