James Skoufis

I’m honored to be given the highest effectiveness score for the ‘23-‘24 session by the Center for Effective Lawmaking.

My team and I, including Leg. Dir. Yasmine Bouachri, work hard to ensure our priorities are elevated up in Albany — looking forward to an equally successful ‘25-‘26 session!

Today marks the 81st anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

On this International Holocaust Remembrance Day, let us reflect on the horrors of the Holocaust and the millions of Jews who were senselessly murdered. We must never forget.

Stay off the roads, be warm, build a snowman if you have a little kid, and thank your local civil servants for keeping us safe today.

In the meantime, if you would like to express your opinion to local officials, you can submit a public comment to the Chester Town Board at chester-ny.gov/contact. The board meets tonight at 7:00PM at Chester Town Hall and will be streaming live, which you can watch here: youtube.com/townofchester

The federal government is seemingly committed to keeping everyone in the dark about its plans, so I will continue to monitor the situation closely and share any updates as I come across them.

These “processing facilities” have been inhumanely compared to Amazon Prime distribution hubs and the large majority of our community is rightfully opposed to hosting one in Orange County, regardless of one’s broader feelings about immigration or deportations.

Local Democrats and Republicans alike have expressed deep concern regarding this proposal - and for good reason.

I have significant concerns, not the least of which being the nature of the site itself, which - without capacity for sufficient sewage and located in a floodplain - doesn't seem suited to house anything but boxes.

I learned of the proposal to open an ICE “processing facility” in Chester just as everyone else did - from the newspaper. No one from the feds have been in contact with my office, or with Chester's Mayor or Supervisor.

The Senate passed important legislation yesterday protecting our election workers from threats and intimidation.

One question left out of the debate, however, was why the bill was needed in the first place. Hint: these vicious attacks started surging five years and two months ago.

PASSED! Moving NY’s presidential primary to Super Tuesday would give voters a meaningful voice.

NY mirrors the nation's demographics but our current primary schedule means our vote happens when it’s practically already decided. New York is too influential for its primary to be simply ceremonial.

State Sen. James Skoufis sponsors a consequential change to move the presidential primary in New York to Super Tuesday. "Presidential candidates only come to New York (now) for one reason, if we're speaking frankly, and that is, they fly in and they collect big checks," he says

With average costs of childcare and private preschool exceeding $10,000 annually, no parent should have to make painful decisions about what to prioritize.

I’ll be fighting to expand UPK as well as childcare throughout the entire state — every zip code, not just some.

Congratulations to the Orange County Legislature’s new Chair, my longtime friend and former Assembly Chief of Staff, Laurie Tautel!

Today’s the first day of the 2026 session.

Like every year, this one will be filled with opportunities to advance the interests of Orange County and New Yorkers. I will continue to do my absolute best on behalf of the over 300K constituents I proudly represent.

Looking forward to a great 2026!

Finally — and most importantly — this outcome’s impact cannot be overstated for the 400,000 people who live in OC.

This is why we run hard campaigns: to effectuate plans to improve people’s lives. I can’t wait to see all that’s to come here in Orange County.

Major thanks and congrats to Matt Turnbull who was uniquely positioned to fill the sudden, quick vacancy in District 1.

County Chair @zakconstantine.bsky.social delivered on key elements to help effectuate this new majority. Party leadership matters. A lot.

This was an opportunity a couple of us saw early on and seized. A reminder that electoral politics ≠ only Election Day.

A major win for new Chair and longtime friend, Laurie Tautel, as well as incoming Leader Ramos along with the entire Dem caucus, incl seven (!) new electeds.

1) a Republican resigned on 1/1

2) a Democrat was appointed to fill that vacancy on 1/5. The chamber became 10-10-1

3) the lone independent, who has been aligned with Republicans during his three decades (!) in the county leg, flipped to support a Democratic majority yesterday

🧵 At approximately 4:00pm yesterday, Democrats earned a majority in the Orange County Legislature for the first time in the nearly 60-year history of the chamber…despite finishing the election with nine out of 21 seats (a net of four from pre-election).

Here’s how:

New York has seen the highest number of flu cases ever recorded in a single week: 71,123 and we haven't yet reached the peak of flu season.

Good news is there's still time to get your flu shot to keep yourself and your family protected. Let's start 2026 safe and healthy! Info on OCNY clinics here:

Each elected official raises their right hand and swears to uphold the constitutions of the state and country, and to serve—not just those who voted for them—but every member of their community. The mandate is clear, and I look forward to partnering with everyone on behalf of our shared communities.

Over the last couple days, I had the privilege to attend swearing-in ceremonies for officials in Woodbury, Cornwall, Middletown, and the Orange County Legislature.

At these events, I’m always struck by how unimportant politics becomes.

Communities connect through shared experiences, and grow through expression. To that end, I’m thrilled to announce $144,500 in funding for the arts in Orange County. Congratulations to the local award recipients and I look forward to partnering on the continued enrichment of our community in 2026.

Huge thanks to @democrats.org Chairman @kenmartin.bsky.social for naming me to the DNC’s Executive Committee as an At-Large Member.

This DNC is laser-focused on organizing against Trump’s authoritarianism as well as rebuilding our party’s big tent. Honored to be on Chair Martin’s team.

Happy Mother’s Day to Ava’s amazing mom and all the other mom’s out there!

In MN this weekend with @youngdems.bsky.social, getting to work in support of the DNC’s vision to return our party to dominance with a populist, working-class outlook.

Some DNC news via @adamwren.bsky.social at @politico.com. Very grateful to @kenmartin.bsky.social for appointing me to the DNC’s People’s Cabinet.