Barbara S. Lifton[1] (born November 26, 1950)[3] is a former Democratic member of the New York State Assembly representing Assembly District 125, which includes Tompkins County in its entirety, as well as the City of Cortland and towns of Cortlandville and Virgil in Cortland County.

For fourteen years before entering the Assembly she served as the Chief of Staff to former Assemblyman Marty Luster.

[6][7] Fellow assemblyman Joseph Morelle, the chairman of the Monroe County Democratic Party, attempted to recruit Lifton, among other candidates, in an effort to run against Republican Tom Reed for the vacant congressional seat formerly held by Eric Massa, who resigned in disgrace from the United States Congress, although Lifton lived outside the boundaries of that district.

She had stated that she considered the overture, as she had long wanted to have a say in global issues, but ultimately chose not to run.

She continued in the state Assembly until announcing she would not seek re-election in 2020.