Phara Souffrant Forrest - AD 57
Phara Souffrant Forrest
Office Sought: State Assembly, 57th District
Campaign Site: Pharaforassembly.com
Endorsements so far: UAW Region 9A, 1999 SEIU, NKD, CWA, Council of School Supervisors & Administrators, and NYSNA
Why do you want to represent your neighbors and fellow Brooklynites in Albany? (100 words max)
In 2020, I ran to represent my home because I was tired—tired of luxury development pushing out my friends and neighbors, high rents, police brutality, and an inhumane healthcare system. I am proud of the progress I’ve made over the past 3 terms, but the work is not yet finished. I am running for re-election to Tax the Rich, pass the Treatment Court Expansion Act, pass the New York For All to protect our neighbors from ICE, win higher pay, safe staffing, and better contracts for healthcare workers, and to deliver green social housing.
What difference will you make for your community? (100 words max)
I have used my office to organize residents across the district, offering an annual leadership development and organizing training program to support my constituents (Brooklyn ROOTS). I’ve championed organizing efforts across the district; working alongside the Union of Pinnacle Tenants fighting against the sale of their homes, to the NYSNA nurses strike for safe staffing, and to the seniors of Clinton Hill fighting for better bus service. I hope to continue building on these victories but building more community power.
How will you support and empower the LGBTQ+ community, particularly at a time when transgender people are under sustained attack from the Trump Administration? (100 words max)
Supporting queer people must always be intersectional and recognize that Black Trans Women face the most discrimination because they are targeted as Trans women, Black people, and Queer people. I will continue fighting for legislation that protects LGBTQIA+ communities by decriminalizing sex work, making gender-affirming care an essential health benefit, making HIV education mandatory for healthchare professionals, and establishing NYS as a sanctuary state for people providing or receiving gender affirming healthcare. My goal continues to be building a New York where all people are free to love who they love without fear and express their gender how they choose.
How will you support and empower Brooklynites being targeted by I.C.E? (100 words max)
I have marched, protested, and been arrested in acts of civil disobedience against ICE here in New York City. I am the child of immigrants and I will do everything within my capability to defend my immigrant friends and neighbors from abduction and deportation. In the assembly I am supporting the New York for All Act and the Dignity not Detention Act to end NYS cooperation with ICE. In my district I am planning to host know rights training and court watch training as a part of my campaign.
Who did you endorse in the 2025 Mayoral Election, in both the primary and the general election? (100 words max)
Zohran Mamdani! We were elected to the assembly on the same DSA slate and I was an early and enthusiastic supporter of my friend and colleague in both the primary and general election.
Although you are running for a state legislative position, we recognize that our state elected officials have an important voice in local political communities. With that in mind, do you/will you support the Brooklyn Can’t Wait slate of District Leader candidates and Brooklyn Can’t Wait’s reforms to make our local party more accountable, transparent, inclusive, and effective? (100 words max)
Absolutely. In order to make change in Albany we must begin right here in Brooklyn. I have already received the endorsement of the New Kings Democrats and I am looking forward to supporting two reform district leaders here in the 57th district. We have a generational chance to revive local democracy across this borough and I am looking forward to building a more representative, transparent, and truly democratic party alongside Brooklyn Can’t Wait here in the 57th district.
Similarly, we recognize that our state elected officials have an important voice in national political dialogue as well. How will you use your voice to speak out about ending US support for the genocide in Gaza and putting a stop to the aggression being implemented by the Trump Administration against Venezuela, Greenland, and other areas? (100 words max)
It was wrong to invade Iraq in 200 and we risk repeating that mistake in Venezuela, Greenland, and Gaza today. As a Democratic Socialist I believe that universal Human Rights can only matter if they are applied equally, to all. I have been an outspoke and active critic against the Genocide in Gaza and I was a co-sposnor of the Not on Our Dime Bill in the state assembly. War is never the answer and I will always stand against American aggression abroad and for a world where all people can live in peace.
Legislation:
Do you support the Gender Identity, Respect, Dignity, and Safety Act (GIRDS) (A5478/S1049A)? Yes
Do you support Cecilia’s Act for Rights in the S*x Trades S2513/A3251 (formerly SVSTA) (A3251/S2513)? Yes! This is my bill and I am hoping to finally pass it this year.
Do you support the New York Health Act (A1466/S3425)? Absolutely. The New York Health Act has been one of my legislative goals since I won my first election.
Do you support the Repeal STI Discrimination Act (A733A/S4545A)? Yes
Do you support the Freedom to Read Act (A7777/S1099) and overriding the Governor’s veto of this act? Yes
Do you support the New York for All Act (A3506/S2235A)? Yes
Do you support adding a constitutional right to privacy to New York’s State Constitution (A9377/S8603)? Yes
Commitments:
If endorsed, do you commit to using LID’s full logo (will be provided) and full name on all materials and other places where you list endorsees (with the exception of lists of specific organizations (unions, etc) or elected officials)? Yes
Do you commit to using inclusive and gender-neutral language in press releases and other announcements (e.g., “the people of the..” instead of “the men and women of the…” Yes