Skoufis Challenger Tim Mitts Withdraws From State Senate Race

MOUNT HOPE, N.Y.—Conservative Party candidate Timothy Mitts announced that he is withdrawing from the race for the New York 42nd State Senate District, leaving incumbent Sen. James Skoufis with no challengers for the Nov. 3 election.

Mitts released a statement on April 6 saying that he will be withdrawing from the race to focus on serving his community through his business leadership and civic involvement.

“Entering public life requires not only dedication but a clear understanding of the values one is willing to uphold,” Mitts said. “After much thought, I have concluded that my path forward is to continue serving my community in ways that allow me to remain fully aligned with those principles.”

Mitts thanked the people who helped him, saying, “Their passion for this community reinforces my belief that positive change begins at the local level.”

Mitts also thanked Skoufis for agreeing to have a clean campaign. Skoufis and Mitts put out a statement on Feb. 10 agreeing not to make personal or misleading attacks, to maintain respectful and civil debate and discourse, and to focus on discussing issues facing Orange County families.

“I appreciate the fact that he was willing and wanting to debate me over the needs of our community without mudslinging,” Mitts said.

Mitts is a resident of the town of Monroe and is a property investor, landlord, and historic house enthusiast. He ran to be town supervisor as a Conservative Party candidate in the 2025 local elections.

Mitts also ran against Skoufis on the conservative ticket in the 2024 state senate election. The results were 69,548 votes for Skoufis, 52,391 votes for Republican candidate Dorey Houle, and 6,382 for Mitts. Mitts announced his new run for election on Jan. 31 in the Mid Hudson News.

Skoufis has represented the 42nd District, which covers most of Orange County, since 2023. He was first elected to the Senate in 2018 and served at various levels of local and state government, including six years as a state assemblymember. Skoufis is the current chairman of the Investigations and Government Operations Committee in the state Senate.