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Darren Soto
From Ballotpedia
| Darren Soto | ||
 | ||
| Florida House Of Representatives District 49 | ||
| Incumbent | ||
| In office | ||
| 2007 - Present | ||
| Term ends | ||
| November 16, 2012 | ||
| Years in position | 5 | |
| Party | Democratic | |
| Compensation | ||
| Base salary | $29,697/year | |
| Per diem | $133/per day | |
| Elections and appointments | ||
| Last election | November 2, 2010 | |
| First elected | April 24, 2007 | |
| Next election | November 6, 2012 | |
| Term limits | 4 terms (8 years) | |
| 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 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
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Soto has been appointed to these committees:
- Judiciary
- Rules & Calendar
- Subcommittee on Civil Justice
- Subcommittee on Justice
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Soto served on these committees:
- Civil Justice & Courts Policy Committee (Ranking Minority Member)
- Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Committee
- Energy & Utilities Policy Committee
Elections
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.[3]
| 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.[4] Soto raised $109,028 for his campaign; Quinones raised $166,630.[5]
| 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
2010
In 2010, Soto raised $67,464 in contributions. [6]
His five largest contributors were:
| Donor | Amount |
|---|---|
| Florida Association Of Realtors | $2,000 |
| Hospital Corp Of America | $2,000 |
| Florida Police Benevolent Association | $2,000 |
| Bright House Networks | $1,500 |
| AT&T | $1,500 |
2008
Below are Soto's top 5 campaign contributors in the 2008 election:[7]
| Contributor | 2008 total |
|---|---|
| Hospital Corporation of America | $4,000 |
| Darren Soto | $2,100 |
| Orlando Family Physicians | $2,000 |
| Bright House Networks | $2,000 |
| FL Police Benevolent Assoc | $2,000 |
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 legislator due to the nature of the search engine.
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: 2008, 2006
References
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Soto Biography
- ↑ Project Vote Smart - Rep. Soto Issue Positions
- ↑ Florida Election Watch - 2010 Election results
- ↑ Florida House official election results for 2008
- ↑ District 49 Florida House candidate funds, 2008
- ↑ 2010 contributions
- ↑ Follow the Money - 2008 Campaign contributions
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by - | Florida House of Representatives District 49 2007–present | Succeeded by NA |
 |
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