NY State Assembly · District 57
Phara Souffrant Forrest
NY State Assembly Member, District 57 (since 2021)DWFPINCUMBENT
- Race
- NY State Assembly · District 57
- Result
- Phara Souffrant Forrest, projected winner
- Opponent
- Yolanda Allison (R)
- Research
- In depth
Party line27 votes tracked
With party = voted the same way as most Democrats who voted.
Said vs. did7 statements · 27 votes
I will work hard to pass the New York Health Act to make free universal healthcare a reality.
Expand public health coverage
Compare statements with votes ›On the ballotNY State Assembly · 57
2026-11-03
| Phara Souffrant Forrest DWFP | incumbent |
| Yolanda Allison R | challenger |
Said vs. did
Each documented position next to the recorded floor votes we map to the same issue. Votes are compared one at a time; no overall stance is inferred from them.
I will work hard to pass the New York Health Act to make free universal healthcare a reality.
In a 2020 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey she said she will work to pass the New York Health Act to establish free, universal single-payer healthcare in the state.[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
I'm committed to a transition to 100% clean renewable energy by 2030, an end to the construction of all new fossil fuel infrastructure, new green union jobs, and a power system that is publicly owned and operated.
In a 2020 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey she supported a Green New Deal for New York, including a transition to 100% clean renewable energy by 2030 and an end to new fossil-fuel infrastructure.[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Prime sponsor of the "Fair Share Act," which would authorize an additional 2% New York City income tax on residents, estates, and trusts with more than $1 million in annual taxable income.
Documented position[6]
- YESS2509 (2021–22 budget revenue bill, 2021-04-07): Raised personal income tax rates on incomes above $1 million and raised the corporate franchise tax rate on large businesses, among other revenue measures.[7]
1 of 1 vote point the same way as the statement
I will fight for free universal healthcare, a Green New Deal for New York, and universal rent control.
In a 2020 Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey she said she would fight for universal rent control.[5]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Abolish I.C.E. in New York
Her campaign website says she is running for re-election to abolish ICE in New York.[8]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
win Universal Healthcare and Childcare in New York
Her campaign website says she is running for re-election to win universal healthcare and childcare in New York.[8]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
Phara fought to win congestion pricing in Manhattan which raised half a billion dollars in revenue for public transit in the first year alone
Her campaign website says she fought to win congestion pricing in Manhattan and credits it with raising revenue for public transit.[8]
No recorded floor vote in our key-vote set maps to this issue.
No statement on this issue in our sources.
- YESS51001 (Concealed Carry Improvement Act, 2022-07-01): Enacted after the Bruen decision: added training and character requirements for carry permits and barred guns in designated sensitive places.[9]
Biography
Phara Souffrant Forrest is the Democratic and Working Families Party member of the Assembly for District 57 and won re-election on November 3, 2026. A registered nurse and tenant organizer who is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America, she defeated incumbent Walter Mosley in the 2020 Democratic primary, has been re-elected since, and won the June 23, 2026 Democratic primary.[1][2][3][4]
Phara Souffrant Forrest was born in Brooklyn, according to Ballotpedia, and her official biography describes her as the daughter of Haitian immigrants and a lifelong resident of the 57th District who attended Brooklyn public schools, including Philippa Schuyler Middle School and Benjamin Banneker Academy for Community Development.[1][4] She attended SUNY Geneseo, where she majored in international relations (Ballotpedia lists a B.A. in 2011), then earned an associate degree in nursing from CUNY City Tech (2016) and a BSN from the CUNY School of Professional Studies.[1][4]
Before her election, Souffrant Forrest worked in New York City public schools, as an Uber driver, and in youth advocacy at Global Kids, and then as a maternal child field nurse; she is a member of the New York State Nurses Association.[1][4] She was president of her building's tenant association (Ballotpedia names the 12 Crown Tenant Association) and is a member of the Crown Heights Tenant Union.[1][4] Her official biography says tenant organizing, including the push for the Housing Stability & Tenant Protection Act of 2019, motivated her to run for office.[4]
Souffrant Forrest first won the seat by defeating incumbent Walter Mosley in the June 2020 Democratic primary and then winning the November 2020 general election, and she was re-elected in 2022 and 2024; Ballotpedia lists her tenure as beginning in 2021.[1][4] For the 2025-2026 session she is a member of the Aging, Consumer Affairs and Protection, Higher Education, Health, Insurance, and Social Services committees, and she chairs the Task Force on New Americans and its Subcommittee on Intergenerational Care.[10] Her official biography says she passed the Less Is More Act in her first term and has continued to focus on tenants' rights, healthcare access and carceral system reforms, and that she lives in Crown Heights with her husband and son.[4] On June 23, 2026 she won the Democratic primary over Samantha Johnson, 78.5% to 20.7%, and she is also on the Working Families Party line.[1] She won the November 3, 2026 general election over Yolanda Allison, according to unofficial results from the NYC Board of Elections.[2][3]
Recent votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Increases the occupancy tax in the county of St. LawrenceS10029 · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Democrats 65–23 · Republicans 31–12 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trialS1004-B · Passed Assembly 83–49 · official record ↗Democrats 83–6 · Republicans 0–43 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-HudsonS10058-C · Passed Assembly 113–18 · official record ↗Democrats 87–1 · Republicans 26–17 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealerS10643 · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗Democrats 85–4 · Republicans 13–30 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Prohibits the use of restraints on incarcerated individuals during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant persons during a custodial interrogationS2667-C · Passed Assembly 111–21 · official record ↗Democrats 87–2 · Republicans 24–19 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Requires elections and terms of certain officials occur on even-numbered years except in the city of New YorkS5711-C · Passed Assembly 82–52 · official record ↗Democrats 82–9 · Republicans 0–43 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Permits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel taxS6047-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗Democrats 65–23 · Republicans 30–13 |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of OneontaS6834-A · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Democrats 66–22 · Republicans 30–13 |
Showing the 8 most recent of 27 votes.
All 27 recorded votes
| Date | Party line | Measure |
|---|---|---|
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Increases the occupancy tax in the county of St. LawrenceS10029 · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Democrats 65–23 · Republicans 31–12Increases the occupancy tax in the county of St. Lawrence from three to five percent. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trialS1004-B · Passed Assembly 83–49 · official record ↗Democrats 83–6 · Republicans 0–43Provides for the use of restoration services when determining the capacity of a defendant to stand trial. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-HudsonS10058-C · Passed Assembly 113–18 · official record ↗Democrats 87–1 · Republicans 26–17Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the village of Croton-on-Hudson; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2031. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board; repealerS10643 · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗Democrats 85–4 · Republicans 13–30Relates to labor peace agreements and the cannabis industry wage board. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Prohibits the use of restraints on incarcerated individuals during labor, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant persons during a custodial interrogationS2667-C · Passed Assembly 111–21 · official record ↗Democrats 87–2 · Republicans 24–19Prohibits the use of restraints on and the use of force against incarcerated individuals during labor and incarcerated individuals who have experienced different pregnancy outcomes, absent extraordinary circumstances, and on pregnant and post-pregnancy persons during a custodial interrogation; provides for certain exceptions for restraints to be used and in such case limits the use to wrist restraints. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Requires elections and terms of certain officials occur on even-numbered years except in the city of New YorkS5711-C · Passed Assembly 82–52 · official record ↗Democrats 82–9 · Republicans 0–43Requires certain elections take place in even-numbered years for certain municipal and judicial officials except in the city of New York. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Permits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel taxS6047-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗Democrats 65–23 · Republicans 30–13Permits the town of Monroe to impose a hotel and motel tax; provides for the repeal of such provisions upon the expiration thereof. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of OneontaS6834-A · Passed Assembly 96–35 · official record ↗Democrats 66–22 · Republicans 30–13Authorizes an occupancy tax in the city of Oneonta not to exceed 6%. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act and requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias programS6983-A · Passed Assembly 92–40 · official record ↗Democrats 89–0 · Republicans 3–40Establishes the New York dignity in pregnancy and childbirth act; requires hospitals and other facilities that provide perinatal care to implement an evidence-based implicit bias program for all health care providers involved in the perinatal care of patients within those facilities; requires the department of health to publish reports on maternal morbidity and pregnancy related deaths. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes the village of Atlantic Beach to impose a hotel, motel and beach club taxS7966-A · Passed Assembly 98–34 · official record ↗Democrats 68–21 · Republicans 30–13Authorizes the village of Atlantic Beach, county of Nassau to impose a three percent hotel, motel and beach club tax; defines "beach club" as a facility formed, organized or operated by any person, firm or corporation, located on or contiguous to an ocean beach, permitting sunbathing, swimming and other allied recreation activities, including such uses operated by a hotel, cooperative complex or other entity; makes related provisions. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Provides internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housingS8026-A · Passed Assembly 126–6 · official record ↗Democrats 89–0 · Republicans 37–6Provides WiFi service and internet access to all individuals residing in temporary housing; relates to funding for internet service under the ConnectAll digital equity grant program. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes the county of Putnam to lease certain lands used as parklandsS8852-C · Passed Assembly 123–8 · official record ↗Democrats 80–8 · Republicans 43–0Authorizes the county of Putnam to lease certain lands used as parklands in the town of Carmel for use as a cell tower for thirty years. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes the village of Ellicottville to impose a hotel and motel taxS9027 · Passed Assembly 97–34 · official record ↗Democrats 67–21 · Republicans 30–13Authorizes the village of Ellicottville to impose a hotel and motel tax not exceeding five percent of the per diem rental rate for each room. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of IthacaS9528-A · Passed Assembly 110–21 · official record ↗Democrats 87–1 · Republicans 23–20Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Ithaca; repeals authorization of such program on December 31, 2030. |
| 2026-06-05 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes the town of Minisink to impose a hotel and motel taxS9862-A · Passed Assembly 95–36 · official record ↗Democrats 65–23 · Republicans 30–13Authorizes the town of Minisink to impose a hotel and motel tax at a rate of five percent. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Increases the distribution of revenue from extending the authorization for the hotel and motel taxes in Suffolk countyA11552 · Passed Assembly 117–24 · official record ↗Democrats 76–20 · Republicans 41–4Increases the distribution of revenue from extending the authorization for the hotel and motel taxes in Suffolk county; provides for the support of a not-for-profit organization that manages and owns the first lighthouse built in New York, a national register of historic places site in Suffolk county that has been named a national historic landmark and is a New York state historic site. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Enacts the responsible data center development actA11560 · Passed Assembly 103–38 · official record ↗Democrats 93–3 · Republicans 10–35Places a one year moratorium on the issuance of data center permits; requires utilities to establish an independent classification of service for large data centers; sets energy efficiency goals for data centers; provides for benefits for host communities; sets labor standards for the construction of data centers. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Enacts into law necessary legislation including extensions and technical correctionsA11561 · Passed Assembly 100–39 · official record ↗Democrats 93–2 · Republicans 7–37Extends the demonstration project and workgroup to reduce the use of temporary staffing agencies in residential healthcare facilities for a fifth year, until December 31, 2027 (Part A); extends the duration of certain brownfield redevelopment and remediation tax credits with respect to a site located at 1800 Park Avenue (Part B); makes technical corrections relating to extending the term and authority of the independent monitor for the Orange county IDA (Part C); extends the demonstration project and workgroup to reduce the use of temporary staffing agencies in residential healthcare facilities for a fifth year, until December 31, 2027 (Part D); makes technical corrections to section 11-3206 of the administrative code of the city of New York (Part E); provides for the temporary transfer of racing support payments (Part F). |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to the taxation of vapor productsA4619-B · Passed Assembly 135–6 · official record ↗Democrats 92–4 · Republicans 43–2Relates to the taxation of vapor products; provides for the licensing of vapor products distributors; imposes certain tax return filing requirements on vapor products distributors; provides for enforcement powers. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of AmsterdamS10196-A · Passed Assembly 118–23 · official record ↗Democrats 91–5 · Republicans 27–18Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Amsterdam; repeals authorization of such program on December 31, 2031. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of YonkersS10564 · Passed Assembly 118–23 · official record ↗Democrats 91–5 · Republicans 27–18Establishes a school speed zone camera demonstration program in the city of Yonkers; repeals authorization of program December 31, 2031. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Authorizes the town of Greenburgh to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parklandS10611 · Passed Assembly 126–15 · official record ↗Democrats 88–8 · Republicans 38–7Authorizes the town of Greenburgh to alienate and discontinue the use of certain parkland and to lease such land to HESP Solar LLC for a term not to exceed twenty-five years. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to judicial districtsS10626 · Passed Assembly 95–46 · official record ↗Democrats 95–1 · Republicans 0–45Provides that in the fourth judicial department, three new districts, fourteen, fifteen and sixteen are added; makes related provisions. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customersS1327-A · Passed Assembly 100–39 · official record ↗Democrats 94–1 · Republicans 6–38Relates to establishing minimum standards for payment plans for eligible customers; requires the public service commission to set standards for payment plans for certain customers including reasonableness of agreements and timelines for payment; establishes eligibility. |
| 2026-06-04 | With partyvoted yes | Provides remedies for disrupted electionsS4602-B · Passed Assembly 93–48 · official record ↗Democrats 93–3 · Republicans 0–45Provides remedies for disrupted voting times and locations during elections; directs that the BOE extend voting to account for the disruption. |
| 2022-07-01 | Split partyvoted yes | Concealed Carry Improvement ActS51001 · Passed 90–52 · official record ↗Enacted after the Bruen decision: added training and character requirements for carry permits and barred guns in designated sensitive places. |
| 2021-04-07 | Split partyvoted yes | 2021–22 budget revenue billS2509 · Passed 88–61 · official record ↗Raised personal income tax rates on incomes above $1 million and raised the corporate franchise tax rate on large businesses, among other revenue measures. |
Albany votes: landmark laws since 2019, plus the 25 most recent 2025–26 roll calls where at least five members voted on the losing side, from the legislature’s official records. Party line is scored for 2025–26 votes only.
On the record
Official actions: bills, executive acts, filings and court records.
- bill2025-01-27 · Prime sponsor of A03251 ("Cecilia's Act for Rights in the Sex Trades"), which would decriminalize certain prostitution offenses. Amended and recommitted to the Codes Committee in May 2026; has not advanced further.[11]
- bill2025-01-08 · Prime sponsor of A00890, enacting "New Deal for SUNY: the New York State Higher Education Equality Act" to provide free SUNY tuition to eligible students. Referred to the Higher Education Committee; has not advanced out of committee as of January 2026.[12]
- bill2025-02-04 · Prime sponsor of A04715, establishing a nurse loan repayment program for nurses serving in underserved areas or nursing homes. Referred to the Health Committee; has not advanced out of committee as of January 2026.[13]
- bill2025-07-16 · Prime sponsor of A08953, the "Fair Share Act," authorizing New York City to impose an additional 2% income tax on residents, estates, and trusts with more than $1 million in annual taxable income. Referred to the Ways and Means Committee; has not advanced out of committee as of January 2026.[6]
- bill2026-03-06 · Prime sponsor of A10451, establishing a bill of rights for unhoused people, including protections against being cited, fined, or arrested for exercising certain rights. Referred to the Governmental Operations Committee.[14]
- bill2025-06-09 · Prime sponsor of A08855 and A08861, which would create a detention-support fund providing bond and travel-stipend assistance to families of detained immigrants and grants to community organizations serving people released from immigration detention. Both referred to the Governmental Operations Committee; neither has advanced out of committee as of January 2026.[15][16]
- actionChairs the Assembly's Task Force on New Americans and its Subcommittee on Intergenerational Care for the 2025-2026 session.[17]
In their own words
Priorities
- "I am nurse, not a career politician. I am the only candidate in this race who promises never to accept corporate PAC and real estate money. I will fight for free universal healthcare, a Green New Deal for New York, and universal rent control."[5]
- "My policy priorities are housing, healthcare, environment, and labor rights."[5]
- For the 2025-2026 session she is the prime sponsor of the "Fair Share Act," which would let New York City impose an additional 2% income tax on residents, estates, and trusts reporting more than $1 million in annual taxable income.[6]
Campaign moneyNo FEC filing summary matched — state candidates file with their state, not the FEC.
Profile: /people/phara-souffrant-forrest
Where they stood out
Voted against most of their party on 1 of 111 party-divided votes on file.
Enacts into law major components of legislation which are necessary to implement the state fiscal plan for the 2026-2027 state fiscal year
What it does: Enacts into law major components of legislation which are necessary to implement the state fiscal plan for the 2026-2027 state fiscal year; sets forth a child and dependent care credit for taxable years beginning on o…
Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 88–11, Republicans 3–41
May 27, 2026Official record ↗
Their votes on the most contested roll calls
The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank
- Yes
Facilitates appellate review of rulings that implicate issues of public concern
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 81–56 · Yes 81–No 56 · Democrats 81–11, Republicans 0–45
May 18, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
Relates to requirements for the provision of medication for medical aid in dying
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 83–62 · Yes 83–No 62 · Democrats 83–17, Republicans 0–45
Feb 4, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 83–53 · Yes 83–No 53 · Democrats 83–9, Republicans 0–44
Apr 28, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 83–61 · Yes 83–No 61 · Democrats 83–17, Republicans 0–44
Mar 31, 2026Official record ↗
- Yes
With most of their party · Passed Assembly 82–52 · Yes 82–No 52 · Democrats 82–9, Republicans 0–43
Jun 5, 2026Official record ↗
Compare all 2 candidates side by side ›
Sources cited in this profile
- 1.Phara Souffrant Forrest · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 2.2026 New York State Assembly election · Wikipedia · 2026-11-09 Reference
- 3.New York State Assembly election results 2026 (unofficial election night results) · NYC Board of Elections · 2026-11-03 Official record
- 4.Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest — Biography (NY State Assembly) · New York State Assembly Official record
- 5.Phara Souffrant Forrest · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
- 6.Bill A08953 - Fair Share Act · New York State Assembly Official record
- 7.Assembly floor vote: S2509 — 2021–22 budget revenue bill · New York State Assembly · 2021-04-07 Official record
- 8.Phara for Assembly · Phara Souffrant Forrest campaign website · 2026-10-03 Candidate's own words
- 9.Assembly floor vote: S51001 — Concealed Carry Improvement Act · New York State Assembly · 2022-07-01 Official record
- 10.Phara Souffrant Forrest - Committee Membership · New York State Assembly Official record
- 11.Bill A03251 - Cecilia's Act for Rights in the Sex Trades · New York State Assembly Official record
- 12.Bill A00890 - New Deal for SUNY: free tuition act · New York State Assembly Official record
- 13.Bill A04715 - Nurse loan repayment program · New York State Assembly Official record
- 14.Bill A10451 - Bill of rights for the unhoused · New York State Assembly Official record
- 15.Bill A08855 - Detention support program · New York State Assembly Official record
- 16.Bill A08861 - Community accompaniment and post-release support program · New York State Assembly Official record
- 17.Phara Souffrant Forrest - Committee Membership · New York State Assembly Official record