Phara Souffrant Forrest (born February 5, 1989) is an American politician, nurse, and tenant activist. A member of the New York City chapter of Democratic Socialists of America, she is the assembly member for the 57th district of the New York State Assembly. After defeating incumbent Assembly Member Walter T. Mosley in the Democratic primary in June 2020, Forrest won the general election in November of that year.[1] She defeated former District Manager of Community Board 2 Olanike Alabi in the primary to defend her seat in 2022. She was unopposed in the general election.[2][3][4]
Phara Souffrant Forrest | |
|---|---|
_Phara_Souffrant_Forrest.jpg) Forrest in 2025 | |
| Member of the New York State Assembly from the 57th district | |
| Assumed office January 1, 2021 | |
| Preceded by | Walter T. Mosley |
| New York State Socialists in Office | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 5, 1989 |
| Party | Democratic |
Other political affiliations | Democratic Socialists of America |
| Education | State University of New York, Geneseo (BA) New York City College of Technology (AS) CUNY Graduate Center (BS) |
| Signature |  |
| Website | State Assembly website |
Early life and education
editForrest was born in Crown Heights, Brooklyn to immigrants from Haiti.[5] She graduated from the Benjamin Banneker Academy and from State University of New York at Geneseo with a B.A. in International Relations.[6] She then obtained an associate nursing degree from New York City College of Technology and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the CUNY School of Professional Studies.[6] Forrest worked as an ICU nurse and was active in the New York State Nurses Association union.[7][8]
Political career
editIn 2017, Forrest joined the Crown Heights Tenant Union as part of her efforts to fight the gentrification and displacement of her rent-stabilized apartment building. In June 2019, she worked with the Housing Justice for All campaign to fortify tenant protective rights.[9]
In August 2019, Forrest launched a campaign against incumbent Democrat Walter T. Mosley in the primary for the heavily Democratic 57th State Assembly district. Souffrant's campaign emphasized support for decarceration,[10] investment in public housing,[11] and state-wide single-payer healthcare.[12][non-primary source needed] During her campaign, she was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America[13] and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.[14] Her campaign was funded entirely by the community, with no outside funding from corporations or businesses.[15]
Forrest trailed Mosley by 588 votes on election night June 23, 2020, but absentee ballots were more significant than usual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Once absentee ballots were counted on July 22, 2020, Forrest led Mosley by over 2,500 votes and was declared the winner.[16] While Mosley remained on the general election ballot under the Working Families Party line, Forrest won the November race with about 74% of the vote over Mosley's 26%.[17]
In 2022, Forrest was challenged by former District Leader and Community Board District Manager Olanike "Ola" Alabi in the Democratic primary.[18] Alabi was supported by the Kings County Democratic Party and Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, among others.[19] Forrest won with 67.24% of the vote while Alabi received 32.43% of the vote. Forrest was uncontested in the general election.[20]
In November 2025, Forrest introduced the Fair Share Act, which would raise tax rates by 2% on households with incomes over $1 million.[21]
References
edit- ↑ Witt, Stephen (July 22, 2020). "New Day in Assembly: Gallagher Unseats Lentol, Forrest Unseats Mosley". Kings County Politics. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ↑ Long, Ariama (June 9, 2022). "Meet State Assembly District 57 candidate Olanike Alabi". Amsterdam News.
- ↑ "New York Primary Election Results". The New York Times. June 28, 2022. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 31, 2023.
- ↑ "Live New York 2022 Election Results". November 8, 2022.
- ↑ Ramos, Tatiana Mena (July 22, 2020). "This Union Nurse and Tenant Activist Is Ready to Stand Up to New York's Political Establishment". BeLatina. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- 1 2 "Phara Souffrant Forrest - Assembly District 57 |Assembly Member Directory | New York State Assembly". nyassembly.gov. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ Souffrant Forrest, Phara (February 6, 2026). "Phara Souffrant Forrest: Why I Support NYC's Striking Nurses". Jacobin. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ Thomas, Grace (February 4, 2026). "3 NY nurse lawmakers have joined the picket line as strike approaches one month". City & State NY. Retrieved February 8, 2026.
- ↑ Connley, Courtney (November 27, 2020). "Meet Phara Souffrant Forrest, 31-year-old nurse who is now a member of the New York State Assembly". CNBC. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ↑ "Decarceration". Phara for Assembly. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ↑ "Housing". Phara for Assembly. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ↑ "Healthcare". Phara for Assembly. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ↑ Williams, Zach (October 10, 2019). "The party of gentrifiers is moving into Brooklyn". CSNY. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ↑ Baig, Sara (June 10, 2020). "Phara Souffrant Forrest Wants to Cancel Your Rent". The Nation. ISSN 0027-8378. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ↑ Verde, Ben (July 22, 2020). "Phara Souffrant Forrest declares victory over Walter Mosley in Crown Heights Assembly race • Brooklyn Paper". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
- ↑ Verde, Ben (July 22, 2020). "Breaking: Phara Souffrant Forrest declares victory over Walter Mosley in Crown Heights assembly race". Brooklyn Paper. Retrieved July 22, 2020.
- ↑ Quinn, Anna (November 3, 2020). "Phara Souffrant Forrest Wins In NY's 57th Assembly District". Patch. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 29, 2020.
- ↑ Zagare, Liena (June 9, 2022). "It's Crown Heights Versus Clinton Hill In The Assembly Primary Between Phara Souffrant Forrest and Olanike "Ola" Alabi". Bklyner. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ↑ "Brooklyn Dems Target Socialist Nurse in June 28 Assembly Primary". The Indypendent. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ↑ "Our Campaigns - NY Assembly 57 - D Primary Race - Jun 28, 2022". www.ourcampaigns.com. Retrieved January 26, 2023.
- ↑ Ngo, Emily; Coltin, Jeff; Reisman, Nick (November 17, 2025). "Top Secret: The Mamdani and Trump relationship". Politico. Retrieved April 26, 2026.