Phara Souffrant Forrest

In 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]

• Government website
• Official Twitter account