Darren Soto
| Darren Soto | ||
 | ||
| Florida State Senate District 14 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| November 20, 2012-Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| November 17, 2014 | ||
| Years in position | 1 | |
| Party | Democratic | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $29,687/year | |
| Per diem | $131/day | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 6, 2012 | |
| First elected | November 6, 2012 | |
| Next election | November 4, 2014 | |
| Term limits | N/A | |
| Prior offices | ||
| Florida House Of Representatives District 49 | ||
| 2007-2012 | ||
| Education | ||
| Bachelor's | Rutgers College (2000) | |
| J.D. | George Washington University Law School (2004) | |
| Personal | ||
| Birthday | February 25, 1978 | |
| Place of birth | Ringwood, New Jersey | |
| Profession | Attorney | |
| Religion | Christian | |
| Websites | ||
| Office website | ||
| Campaign website | ||
 | ||
Contents |
Soto was a Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives, representing the 49th District after winning a special election in April 2007 and serving until 2012.
Soto served as President of D. Soto Law Offices in 2005, summer Associate with L.A. Gonzalez Law Offices from 2002-2004, and financial analyst with Prudential Insurance from 1998-2001.
He is a member of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Metro Orland.[1]
Issues
Soto did not provide answers to the Florida State Legislative Election 2008 Political Courage Test. The test provides voters with how a candidate would vote on the issues if elected.[2]
Sponsored legislation
Soto's sponsored legislation includes:
- HB 175 - "Local Government Officers and Employees: Expands eligibility for participation in state group health insurance program & prescription drug coverage program to include all counties, municipalities, special taxing districts, & district school boards"
- HB 843 - "Street Racing: Creates "Luis Rivera Ortega Street Racing Act"; revises provisions prohibiting certain speed competitions & exhibitions; prohibits driving in any race, drag race, or exhibition of speed or acceleration"
- HB 1249 - "Commercial Dog Breeding: Prohibits person from owning, possessing, controlling, or otherwise having custody of 50 or more dogs at one time; requires person who owns or otherwise has custody of 10 or more dogs that are 4 months of age or older to adhere to certain specified guidelines"
For details and a full listing of sponsored bills, see the House site.
Committee assignments
2013-2014
At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Soto served on the following committees:
| Florida Committee Assignments, 2013 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Judiciary, Vice-chair | ||||
| • Community Affairs | ||||
| • Environmental Preservation and Conservation | ||||
| • Ethics and Elections | ||||
| • Collective Bargaining | ||||
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Soto served on these committees:
| Florida Committee Assignments, 2011 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Judiciary | ||||
| • Rules & Calendar | ||||
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Soto served on these committees:
| Florida Committee Assignments, 2009 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| • Civil Justice & Courts Policy | ||||
| • Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations | ||||
| • Energy & Utilities Policy | ||||
Elections
2012
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2012
Soto won election in the 2012 election for Florida State Senate District 14. Soto ran unopposed in the Democratic primary on August 14, 2012, and defeated William McBride (R) in the general election which took place on November 6, 2012.[3]
| Florida State Senate, District 14, General Election, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Darren Soto |
70% | 113,222 | |
| Republican | William McBride | 30% | 48,440 | |
| Total Votes | 161,662 | |||
2010
Soto ran for re-election to the 49th District seat in 2010. He did not face any opposition in the August 24 primary. Soto defeated Betty La Chance in the general election on November 2, 2010.[4]
| Florida House of Representatives, District 49 2010 General election results | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Darren Soto (D)
|
20,826 | 75.33% | ||
| Betty La Chance (NPA) | 6,821 | 24.67% | ||
2008
On November 4, 2008, Soto won re-election to the Florida House of Representatives from Florida's 49th District, defeating J.P. Quinones (R). Soto received 36,644 votes in the election while Quinones received 19,648 votes.[5] Soto raised $109,028 for his campaign; Quinones raised $166,630.[6]
| Florida House of Representatives, District 49 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidates | Votes | Percent | ||
| Darren Soto (D)
|
36,644 | 65.1% | ||
| J.P. Quinones (R) | 19,648 | 34.9% | ||
Campaign donors
Comprehensive donor information for Soto is available dating back to 2006. Based on available campaign finance records, Soto raised a total of $572,514 during that time period. This information was last updated on May 24, 2013.[7]
| Darren Soto's Campaign Contribution History | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Office | Result | Contributions | |
| 2012 | Florida State Senate, District 14 |  |
$387,915 | |
| 2010 | Florida State House, District 49 | |
$67,464 | |
| 2008 | Florida State House, District 49 | |
$109,028 | |
| 2006 | Florida State House, District 49 |  |
$8,107 | |
| Grand Total Raised | $572,514 | |||
2012
Soto won election to the Florida State Senate in 2012. During that election cycle, Soto raised a total of $387,915.
| Florida State Senate 2012 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Darren Soto's campaign in 2012 | ||||
| Florida Democratic Party | $111,744 | |||
| Hospital Corp Oof America | $3,500 | |||
| Florida Hospital Association | $3,000 | |||
| Florida Cable Telecommunications Association | $2,500 | |||
| Florida Dental Association | $2,000 | |||
| Total Raised in 2012 | $387,915 | |||
| Source:Follow the Money | ||||
2010
Soto won re-election to the Florida House of Representatives in 2010. During that election cycle, Soto raised a total of $67,464.
| Florida House of Representatives 2010 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Darren Soto's campaign in 2010 | ||||
| Hospital Corp of America | $2,000 | |||
| Florida Association of Realtors | $2,000 | |||
| Bright House Networks | $1,500 | |||
| Florida Police Benevolent Association | $1,500 | |||
| At&T | $1,500 | |||
| Total Raised in 2010 | $67,464 | |||
| Source:Follow the Money | ||||
2008
Soto won election to the Florida House of Representatives in 2008. During that election cycle, Soto raised a total of $109,028.
| Florida House of Representatives 2008 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Darren Soto's campaign in 2008 | ||||
| Hospital Corp of America | $4,000 | |||
| Soto, Darren | $2,100 | |||
| Florida Police Benevolent Association | $2,000 | |||
| Florida Association of Realtors | $2,000 | |||
| Bright House Networks | $2,000 | |||
| Total Raised in 2008 | $109,028 | |||
| Source:Follow the Money | ||||
2006
Soto lost the election to the Florida House of Representatives in 2006. During that election cycle, Soto raised a total of $8,107.
| Florida House of Representatives 2006 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Darren Soto's campaign in 2006 | ||||
| Soto, Darren Michael | $2,513 | |||
| Sun State Ford | $500 | |||
| Florida Association of School Administrators | $500 | |||
| Sudbury, Adam | $500 | |||
| Soto, Louis | $375 | |||
| Total Raised in 2006 | $8,107 | |||
| Source:Follow the Money | ||||
Recent news
This section displays the most recent stories in a google news search for the term Darren + Soto + Florida + Legislature
- All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.
Darren Soto News Feed
- Democrats upset by governor's Dream Act driving bill veto - The Florida Current
- Orlando Democrats blast Scott over 'dreamer' veto - Orlando Sentinel
- Dems attack Fla. Gov. Scott as anti-Hispanic, outraged over veto - BizPac Review
- GOP Defends Rick Scott's Veto of Immigrant Drivers Bill - Sunshine State News
- Florida Government Weekly Roundup - NorthEscambia.com
- Report Card: Florida Chamber Gives Most (GOP) Legislators an 'A' - Sunshine State News
- Education, Infrastructure, Reserves Become Florida Goals - The Ledger
- What we think: State officials fiddling while the Wekiva dies - Orlando Sentinel
- Orange, Central Florida counties see money from state drop - Orlando Sentinel
- Political Calendar - The Ledger
Cite error: <ref> tags exist, but no <references/> tag was found
External links
- Darren Soto's House site
- Florida House of Representatives - Rep. Darren Soto
- Project Vote Smart legislative profile
- Project Vote Smart biography
- Campaign Contributions: 2012, 2008, 2006
References
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Soto Biography
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Soto Issue Positions
- ↑ Florida Elections Division "Candidate List" Accessed June 14, 2012
- ↑ Florida Election Watch - 2010 Election results
- ↑ Florida House official election results for 2008
- ↑ District 49 Florida House candidate funds, 2008
- ↑ followthemoney.org, "Soto, Darren," accessed May 24, 2013
| Political offices | ||
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| Preceded by Steve Oelrich (R) |
Florida State Senate District 14 2012–present |
Succeeded by NA |
| Preceded by - |
Florida House of Representatives District 49 2007–2012 |
Succeeded by Joe Saunders (D) |
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- State senators first elected in 2012
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- State House incumbent retired, 2012
- Former member, Florida House of Representatives
- Current member, Florida State Senate
- State representatives first elected in 2006
- Democratic Party
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- 2010 candidate
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