Phara Souffrant Forrest
Phara Souffrant Forrest is an American politician, nurse, and tenant activist. She is the Democratic nominee for the 57st district of the New York State Assembly after defeating incumbent Walter T. Mosley in the Democratic primary. Forrest is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America.Early life and education
Forrest is the daughter of immigrants from Haiti. In 2011, Forrest graduated from State University of New York at Geneseo with a B.A. in International Relations and Affairs. Forrest later pursued a career in nursing, attending the New York City College of Technology and the CUNY School of Professional Studies to receive an A.A.S. and B.S. in Registered Nursing, respectively.Political career
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, investment in public housing, and state-wide single-payer healthcare. During her campaign, she was endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. 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.
