NYS Senator running for DNC Chair

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)--A New York State lawmaker is setting his sights on a national leadership position within the Democratic Party. New York State Democratic Senator, James Skoufis, wants to become chair of the Democratic National Committee. 

"I’m running for DNC Chair because we need to do things differently in the party after what happened several weeks ago," said Skoufis.

Back in November, Republicans at the federal level won not only the presidency, but both Senate and the House of Representatives. 

To win future elections, the senator said his party needs to make some changes. Despite just winning re-election in a Hudson Valley swing district, Skoufis believes he’s the man for the job. 

"I believe the DNC at this moment in time, needs an outsider who knows how to win," said Skoufis. "That’s what I’ve done for 12 years in a district that Donald Trump just won by 12 percentage points, well I won by 14. He’s one of my district three times now Republicans have almost always won my district, whether it’s the gubernatorial or presidential candidates."

He explained the reasons behind his own successful re-elections.

"I’ve been re-elected each time and it’s because I show up everywhere, and I speak in a language people can relate to, and I’m responsive to their priorities and concerns. That’s what I believe the next DNC chair needs to do for the whole country."

The senator added that Democrats, as a whole, need to do more listening. 

"We shouldn’t be trying to dodge conversations about public safety and about border security. These are conversations that we need to embrace." 

Skoufis is running against a handful of other candidates for DNC chair. A vote will take place on February 1st.

If successful, Skoufis said he will stay in the state Senate throughout budget negotiations before transitioning to the new role full-time.