Candidate Profile 2024: Skoufis Seeks Re-Election To State Senate

ORANGE COUNTY, NY — In 2024's general election, residents of the Hudson Valley will be voting for federal, state and local officials. In anticipation, Patch asked candidates in the region's contested races to answer questions about their campaigns and will be publishing candidate profiles as election day draws near.

James Skoufis (D, WF) is seeking a fourth term in the New York State Senate, where he represents District 42. He is being challenged by Dorey Houle on the Republican line.

Education

• Columbia University, MA
• George Washington University, BA

Age: 36

Occupation

• New York State Senator (2019 - current); Chair, Investigations and Government Operations Committee
• New York State Assemblymember (2013-19)

Campaign website, social media

• https://skoufisforny.com/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jame...
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/James...
• X - https://x.com/JamesSkoufis
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@jamess...

Why are you seeking this office?

In my dozen years in the legislature, I’ve seen just how important it is for Orange County to have a real seat at the table, bringing needed resources home from Albany and
pushing back against policy that isn’t right for our neighbors. I'm running for re-election because Orange County needs a strong voice to continue fighting against overdevelopment, cracking down on corporate welfare, blocking new taxes, and securing record school funding while helping to keep school property taxes down.

What are the major differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post

Experience and independence. I’ve proven time and time again that my word translates to action – whether that’s helping thousands of constituents resolve their issues with state and local agencies; or launching investigations that expose waste, fraud, and abuse in government; or passing the most number of bills of any legislator in the state; or casting the most votes independent of my party. I represent everyone in the Senate District, not just those who voted for me or just those in my party, and I’ll work every day to ensure your voice is heard in Albany.

What other issues are you addressing during your campaign?

Orange County’s access to public transit has been a career-long battle for me, including joining the United Federation of Teachers’ lawsuit to block the Governor’s congestion pricing scheme. My constituents can’t keep paying into a system that doesn’t serve them; congestion pricing would have devastated some of Orange County’s hard-working commuters, and is antithetical to supporting and rebuilding the middle class. I’ll continue to be a vocal advocate against this outrageous tax on my neighbors.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

In 2023 I rewrote the law governing how new villages are formed, meaning the proposed Village of Seven Springs (next to Kiryas Joel) is officially dead — and taxpayers are protected. This effort took years of negotiation with leadership until we found the right moment to take up the legislation; that level of patience and persistence is vital to getting important work done for residents of Orange County.

Other memorable fights – such as taking on the wealthy alcohol lobby to ensure our mom and pop distilleries and cideries have a level playing field, or shining a light on the wasteful corporate handouts being doled out by our industrial development agencies, or refusing to vote for a state budget bill that didn’t provide universal pre-kindergarten funding for Orange County, or taking on the insurance industry to ensure victims of natural disasters can receive timely payment of their property claims – require a certain level of fortitude and knowledge of how these systems work that you can only develop over years in Albany.

What is the best advice anyone ever gave you?

My mentor, the late great Roxanne Donnery, taught me that a ‘D’ or an ‘R’ next to one’s name doesn’t make the individual: there are good people working in good faith across the political spectrum. I’ve always believed that and tried to act from a place of respect, regardless of partisanship.

Is there anything else you would like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

Like many of my neighbors, I’m choosing to raise my family here for one simple reason: I believe in Orange County. I believe that a better quality of life, an education that strives for nothing short of excellence, and a strong, friendly, and caring community is something each of us should demand from those in elected office. We owe it to our children, and their children, to continue striving for more and better in whatever way we can. It has been the honor of a lifetime serving as your State Senator, and I hope to continue doing so.