Darren Soto
2017 - Present
2023
4
Darren Soto (Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Florida's 9th Congressional District. He assumed office on January 3, 2017. His current term ends on January 3, 2023.
Soto (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Florida's 9th Congressional District. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Soto is a former Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida State Senate where he served as the deputy minority whip from 2012 to 2014.
An attorney by profession, Soto graduated from Rutgers College and received a law degree from George Washington University. He has worked as the President of D. Soto Law Offices.
At the beginning of the 116th Congress, Soto was assigned to the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Natural Resources. He was also appointed as an assistant regional whip.[1]
Contents
Biography
Soto's professional experience includes working as President of D. Soto Law Offices, summer associate with L.A. Gonzalez Law Offices and financial analyst with Prudential Insurance.[2]
Career
Below is an abbreviated outline of Soto's academic, professional, and political career:[3]
- 2017-Present: U.S. Representative from Florida's 9th Congressional District
- 2012-2016: Florida state senator
- 2012-2014: Deputy minority whip
- 2007-2012: Florida state representative
- 2004: Graduated from George Washington University with a J.D.
- 2000: Graduated from Rutgers College with a B.A.
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2021-2022
Soto was assigned to the following committees:[Source]
- Committee on Natural Resources
- Water, Oceans, and Wildlife
- Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States
- Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Communications and Technology
- Consumer Protection and Commerce
- Environment and Climate Change
2019-2020
Soto was assigned to the following committees:[Source]
2017-2018
At the beginning of the 115th Congress, Soto was assigned to the following committees:[4]
State legislature
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Soto served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2015 |
|---|
| • Environmental Preservation and Conservation |
| • Finance and Tax |
| • Judiciary |
| • Rules, Vice chair |
| • Joint Committee on Public Counsel Oversight |
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 the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2011 |
|---|
| • Judiciary |
| • Rules & Calendar |
2009-2010
In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Soto served on the following committees:
| Florida committee assignments, 2009 |
|---|
| • Civil Justice & Courts Policy |
| • Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations |
| • Energy & Utilities Policy |
Key votes
- See also: Key votes
Ballotpedia monitors legislation that receives a vote and highlights the ones that we consider to be key to understanding where elected officials stand on the issues. To read more about how we identify key votes, click here.
Key votes: 116th Congress, 2019-2020
Key votes: 115th Congress, 2017-2018
- For detailed information about each vote, click here.
- Votes on domestic policy (click to expand)
Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (Conference report) (HR 2)
Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018- Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance through fiscal year 2023.[5]
Voted Nay on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2 (second vote))
- Bill Passed (213-211) on June 21, 2018
- Proposed providing funding for commodity support, conservation, trade and international food aid, nutrition assistance, farm credit, rural development, research and extension activities, forestry, horticulture, and crop insurance. It also proposed modifying the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, previously known as the food stamp program.[6]
Voted Nay on: Securing America’s Future Act of 2018 (HR 4760)
Bill Failed (193-231) on June 21, 2018- Proposed funding a border wall, limiting legal immigration, a mandatory worker verification program, allowing DACA recipients to apply for legal status, and preventing separation of families at the border.[7]
Voted Yea on: Agriculture and Nutrition Act of 2018 (HR 2)
- Bill Passed (369-47) on December 12, 2018
- Reauthorizes through FY2023 and modifies some Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs.[8]
Voted Nay on: Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (HR 36)
- Bill Passed (237-189) on October 3, 2017
- Proposed amending the federal criminal code to make it a crime for any person to perform or attempt to perform an abortion if the probable post-fertilization age of the fetus was 20 weeks or more. The bill provided exceptions for an abortion: (1) that was necessary to save the life of the pregnant woman, or (2) when the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest.[9]
Voted Nay on: Kate's Law (HR 3004)
- Bill Passed (257-167) on June 29, 2017
- Proposed increasing criminal penalties for individuals in the country illegally who were convicted of certain crimes, deported, and then re-entered the U.S. illegally.[10]
Voted Nay on: No Sanctuary for Criminals Act (HR 3003)
- Bill Passed (228-195) on June 29, 2017
- Proposed withholding federal funds from states and localities that chose not to follow federal immigration laws.[11]
Voted Nay on: American Health Care Act of 2017 (HR 1628)
- Bill passed (217-213) on May 4, 2017
- Proposed modifying the budgetary and fiscal provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare.[12]
- Votes on economic affairs and regulations (click to expand)
Voted Yea on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 6157)
- Bill Passed (361-61) on September 26, 2018
- Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.[13]
Voted Yea on: Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act, 2019 (Conference report) (HR 5895)
- Bill Passed (377-20) on September 13, 2018
- Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.[14]
Voted Yea on: Department of Defense and Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 6157)
- Bill Passed (359-49) on June 28, 2018
- Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Departments of Defense, Health and Human Services (HHS), Labor, and Education.[15]
Voted Nay on: Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2019 (HR 5895)
- Bill Passed (235-179) on June 8, 2018
- Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for the Department of Energy, water resources, the legislative branch, military construction, and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other programs.[16]
Voted Nay on: Economic Growth, Regulatory Relief, and Consumer Protection Act (S 2155)
- Bill Passed (258-159) on May 22, 2018
- Proposed exempting some banks from the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act[17]
Voted Nay on: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1625)
- Bill Passed (256-167) on March 22, 2018
- Proposed providing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes.[18]
Voted Yea on: The Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 (HR 1892)
- Bill Passed (240-186) on February 9, 2018
- Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.[19]
Voted Nay on: Further Extension Of Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1892)
- Bill Passed (245-182) on February 6, 2018
- Proposed providing appropriations through March 23, 2018.[20]
Voted Nay on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)
- Bill Passed (266-150) on January 22, 2018
- Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 8, 2018.[21]
Voted Nay on: Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018, and for other purposes. (HR 195)
- Bill Passed (230-197) on January 18, 2018
- Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through February 16, 2018.[22]
Voted Nay on: Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 1370)
- Bill Passed (231-188) on December 21, 2017
- Proposed providing further continuing appropriations through January 19, 2018.[23]
Voted Nay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)
- Bill Passed (227-203) on December 19, 2017
- Proposed providing for reconciliation pursuant to titles II and V of the concurrent resolution on the budget for fiscal year 2018.[24]
Voted Nay on: Making further continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2018, and for other purposes (HJ Res 123)
- Bill Passed (235-193) on December 7, 2017
- Proposed funding the government until December 22, 2017.[25]
Voted Nay on: Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (HR 1)
- Bill Passed (227-205) on November 16, 2017
- Proposed amending the Internal Revenue Code to reduce tax rates and modify policies, credits, and deductions for individuals and businesses.[26]
Voted Nay on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)
- Bill Passed (216-212) on October 26, 2017
- Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027. (This bill proposed adopting the Senate's budget resolution.)[27]
Voted Nay on: Establishing the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2018 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2019 through 2027. (H Con Res 71)
- Bill Passed (219-206) on October 5, 2017
- Proposed establishing the congressional budget for the federal government for FY2018 and setting forth budgetary levels for FY2019-FY2027.[28]
Voted Nay on: Make America Secure and Prosperous Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3354)
- Bill Passed (211-198) on September 14, 2017
- Proposed providing FY2018 appropriations for the federal government. It combined 12 appropriations bills.[29]
Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (Included amendments to suspend the debt ceiling and fund the government) (HR 601)
- Bill Passed (316-90) on September 8, 2017
- Proposed suspending the debt ceiling and funding the government until December 8, 2017, and providing funding for Hurricanes Harvey and Irma relief efforts.[30]
Voted Yea on: Disaster Relief Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 601)
- Bill Passed (419-3) on September 6, 2017
- Proposed providing $7.85 billion for disaster relief requirements, including response and recovery efforts from Hurricane Harvey.[31]
Voted Nay on: Financial CHOICE Act of 2017 (HR 10)
- Bill passed (233-186) on June 8, 2017
- Proposed amending the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, among other acts.[32]
Voted Yea on: Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2017 (HR 244)
- Bill passed (309-118) on May 3, 2017
- Proposed a $1.2 trillion budget to fund the government through the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2017.[33]
- Votes on foreign policy and national security issues (click to expand)
Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (HR 5515)
- Bill Passed (351-66) on May 24, 2018
- Proposed authorizing FY2019 appropriations and policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities[34]
Voted Nay on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 695)
- Bill Passed (250-166) on January 30, 2018
- Proposed providing appropriations for military functions administered by the Department of Defense and for other purposes, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2018.[35]
Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018—Conference report (HR 2810)
- Bill Passed (356-70) on November 14, 2017
- Proposed authorizing FY2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths.[36]
Voted Nay on: Make America Secure Appropriations Act, 2018 (HR 3219)
- Bill Passed (235-192) on July 27, 2017
- Proposed making appropriations for defense, military construction, Veterans Affairs, the Legislative Branch, energy and water development, and for other purposes for the fiscal year ending on September 30, 2018.[37]
Voted Yea on: Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (HR 3364)
- Bill Passed (419-3) on July 25, 2017
- Proposed providing congressional review and measures to counter aggression by the governments of Iran, the Russian Federation, and North Korea, and for other purposes.[38]
Voted Yea on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180, second vote)
- Bill Passed (380-35) on July 28, 2017
- Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.[39]
Voted Nay on: Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 3180)
- Bill Failed (241-163) on July 24, 2017
- Proposed authorizing appropriations for fiscal year 2018 for intelligence and intelligence-related activities of the United States Government, the Community Management Account, and the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System, and for other purposes.[40]
Voted Yea on: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018 (HR 2810)
- Bill Passed (344-81) on July 14, 2017
- Proposed authorizing fiscal year 2018 appropriations and setting forth policies for Department of Defense (DOD) programs and activities, including military personnel strengths. It did not provide budget authority.[41]
Voted Yea on: Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2017 (HR 1301)
- Bill passed (371-48) on March 8, 2017
- The $577.9 billion fiscal year 2017 defense spending bill proposed $516.1 billion in base budget funding and $61.8 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations/ Global War on Terrorism funding.[42]
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills sponsored by this legislator. Bills are monitored by BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills sponsored by this person, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2020
See also: Florida's 9th Congressional District election, 2020
Florida's 9th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Republican primary)
Florida's 9th Congressional District election, 2020 (August 18 Democratic primary)
General election for U.S. House Florida District 9
Incumbent Darren Soto defeated Bill Olson and Clay Hill in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 9 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Darren Soto (D) |
56.0
|
240,724 |
|
|
Bill Olson (R) |
44.0
|
188,889 | |
|
|
Clay Hill (No Party Affiliation) (Write-in) |
0.0
|
25 | |
|
|
Total votes: 429,638 |
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Darren Soto advanced from the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 9.
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 9
Bill Olson defeated Christopher Wright, Jose Castillo, and Sergio Ortiz in the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 9 on August 18, 2020.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Bill Olson |
48.6
|
20,751 |
|
|
Christopher Wright |
22.7
|
9,677 | |
|
|
Jose Castillo |
20.1
|
8,595 | |
|
|
Sergio Ortiz |
8.6
|
3,680 | |
|
|
Total votes: 42,703 |
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Edgar Hernandez Reyes (Unaffiliated)
- Hendrith Smith (D)
- Alan Grayson (D)
2018
General election for U.S. House Florida District 9
Incumbent Darren Soto defeated Wayne Liebnitzky in the general election for U.S. House Florida District 9 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Darren Soto (D) |
58.0
|
172,172 |
|
|
Wayne Liebnitzky (R) |
42.0
|
124,565 | |
|
|
Total votes: 296,737 (100.00% precincts reporting) |
Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 9
Incumbent Darren Soto defeated Alan Grayson in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Florida District 9 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate |
% |
Votes |
||
| ✔ |
|
Darren Soto |
66.4
|
36,586 |
|
|
Alan Grayson |
33.6
|
18,528 | |
|
|
Total votes: 55,114 |
Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 9
Wayne Liebnitzky advanced from the Republican primary for U.S. House Florida District 9 on August 28, 2018.
Candidate |
||
| ✔ |
|
Wayne Liebnitzky |
|
|
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Sean Buchan (R)
Democratic primary election
Darren Soto ran to represent Florida's 9th congressional district
Campaign finance
Democrats
Endorsements
The table below summarizes the endorsements Ballotpedia identified for Democratic candidates in this primary.
Do you know of an official or organization that endorsed a candidate in this race? Let Ballotpedia know by email at federal@ballotpedia.org.
| Democratic candidate endorsements | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Endorsement | Date | Grayson | Soto (I) |
| Organizations | |||
| Boricua Vota[43] | August 13, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Giffords PAC[44] | July 31, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida[45] | July 26, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate[46] | July 19, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Latino Victory Fund[47] | July 17, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Blue America PAC[48] | May 10, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Congressional Progressive Caucus[49] | March 16, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee[50] | May 1, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Planned Parenthood Action Fund[44] | May 16, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Orlando Professional Fire Fighters International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1365[51] | June 5, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Central Florida Police Benevolent Association[51] | June 5, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Human Rights Campaign[52] | June 19, 2018 | ✔ | |
| National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare[53] | July 12, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Our Revolution Orlando[54] | July 12, 2018 | ✔ | |
| Federal officials | |||
| Rep. John Lewis (D-GA)[55] | May 17, 2018 | ✔ | |
| National figures | |||
| Joe Biden[56] | May 29, 2018 | ✔ | |
| San Juan Mayor Carmen Yulín Cruz[44] | July 29, 2018 | ✔ | |
Online presence
May 16, 2018
The following social media statistics were compiled on May 16, 2018.
| Candidate | Followers | Likes | Comments on Last Ten Posts | Followers | Following | Tweets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grayson |
170,140 | 180,659 | 55 | 70,754 | 183 | 2,916 |
| Soto |
8,535 | 3,967 | 213 | 5,578 | 3,025 | 1,662 |
Tweets by Alan Grayson Tweets by Darren Soto
2016
Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Democratic. Incumbent Alan Grayson (D) did not seek re-election in 2016. Darren Soto (D) defeated Wayne Liebnitzky (R) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Soto defeated Susannah Randolph, Dena Grayson, and Valleri Crabtree in the Democratic primary, while Liebnitzky defeated Wanda Rentas to win the Republican nomination. The primary elections took place on August 30, 2016.[57][58]
| U.S. House, Florida District 9 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Darren Soto |
57.5% | 195,311 | |
| Republican | Wayne Liebnitzky | 42.5% | 144,450 | |
| Total Votes | 339,761 | |||
| Source: Florida Division of Elections | ||||
| U.S. House, Florida District 9 Republican Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|
Wayne Liebnitzky |
67.6% | 22,725 | ||
| Wanda Rentas | 32.4% | 10,911 | ||
| Total Votes | 33,636 | |||
| Source: Florida Division of Elections |
||||
| U.S. House, Florida District 9 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
|
Darren Soto |
36.3% | 14,496 | ||
| Susannah Randolph | 28.2% | 11,267 | ||
| Dena Grayson | 27.8% | 11,122 | ||
| Valleri Crabtree | 7.7% | 3,093 | ||
| Total Votes | 39,978 | |||
| Source: Florida Division of Elections |
||||
2014
- See also: Florida State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the Florida State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 20, 2014. Incumbent Darren Soto was unopposed in the Democratic primary and defeated Devin Norton (I) in the general election.[59][60]
| Florida State Senate, District 14 General Election, 2014 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Darren Soto Incumbent |
75% | 71,029 | |
| Independent | Devin Norton | 25% | 23,625 | |
| Total Votes | 94,654 | |||
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.[61]
| 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.[62]
| 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.[63] Soto raised $109,028 for his campaign; Quinones raised $166,630.[64]
| 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 themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Darren Soto did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2018
Campaign website
The following themes were found on Soto's official campaign website.
| “ |
Puerto Rico When President Trump wanted to pull out food and water aid going to Puerto Rico, I led the effort to ensure these basic necessities continued to reach Puerto Ricans on the island by leading a Congressional letter with 50 co-signers to FEMA Administrator Long. The Trump administration has tried to get rid of these program many times but I continue pressuring the administration by bringing sustained public and media attention to these issues. I also have fought for months to get FEMA lease vouchers approved in the face of major opposition from the Trump administration. I will continue to fight for the Island’s recovery from Hurricane Maria for as long as it takes to get the job done. And I will work to make the Puerto Ricans who have relocated to Florida feel welcome. Gun safety reform In Congress, after the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, I proposed a 5 point gun safety plan:
“These ultra-liberal, gun hating Democrats should be ashamed.” - NRA Florida lobbyist Marion Hammer I’m not afraid to stand up to the gun lobby. In Congress, I’ll continue to fight for common sense gun safety reforms. We can respect Second Amendment rights while keeping guns out of dangerous hands. We owe it to the victims and survivors of the gun violence epidemic in our country. Reproductive rights and women's health Women have a right to control their own bodies. Reproductive health care decisions should be between a woman and her doctor – and nobody else. I was proud to lead the fight on the Florida State Senate Floor to defeat an outrageous 24-hour abortion waiting period bill. Soon after, the ACLU filed a lawsuit challenging the law that used my arguments as a framework – and in a huge win for women, the Florida Supreme Court agreed with us and put that anti-choice law on hold. I was also proud to lead the fight in the Florida Senate to successfully double the statute of limitations for crimes of sexual violence, so that rapists and predators can be held accountable and taken off the street. In Congress, I always stand up for the right of women to make their own health and family planning decisions – and I will continue to fight tooth-and-nail against any effort to defund Planned Parenthood and take away comprehensive women’s health services. Social Security I am a cosponsor of the Social Security 2100 Act which would fully fund Social Security to 2100 and beyond. In Congress, I stand up for our seniors and fight every attempt to privatize or cut Social Security. I was proud to vote against the GOP tax scam which will lead to major cuts to Social Security due to “Pay-go” Laws. Environmental protections I am thrilled to be the greenest member of the Florida Congressional Delegation. My National Environmental Scorecard from the League of Conservation Voters is 100%, the highest of any Florida legislator. In Congress, I’m pushing for investments in renewable energy sources and education for a new generation of scientists to conquer the challenges ahead. We’ve made tremendous progress, but we can’t afford to go backward. Corporate polluters and their political allies are fighting tooth and nail to do away with critical regulations that protect our land, water, air, and people from pollution and climate change. Trump signed an executive action to expand offshore drilling along our coasts – an unmistakable threat to our ecosystem and communities, particularly here in Florida. Florida is blessed with a unique and beautiful environment, from America’s Everglades to endless miles of pristine beaches. Our economy and quality of life depend on keeping Florida clean – and that’s not worth sacrificing for the short-term gain of corporate polluters. That’s why I’m fighting to pass a statewide ban on fracking and have fought to protect our sensitive ecosystems. I was named Champion of the Everglades by Audubon Florida in 2015 because of my record on fighting for our environment. In Congress, I’m fighting to ban fracking on all our public lands and finish the work begun by President Obama to reduce our reliance on carbon fuels. Climate change America should be at the forefront of the effort to reduce fossil fuel emissions and confront the threat of climate change. That's why I'm fighting in Congress to invest in renewable energy, protect our environment, and reduce the financial burden on students who graduate with degrees in science and technology. We have the opportunity to build a clean energy economy and drastically reduce our fossil fuel emissions; we can't afford to lose the progress we've made. Here in Florida, we have a lot to lose from climate change – we have more private property at risk from climate change than any other state. If we don’t act now, rising sea levels and intensified hurricanes will pose a growing threat to our economy and our well-being. We must listen to the scientists: Climate change is real and it is caused by human activity. We must dramatically reduce our carbon emissions and transition to a clean energy future. Jobs and the economy
Next: I’m working on funding to develop a high-tech sensors manufacturing center in Osceola County. I am fighting for long overdue investments to modernize our roads, bridges, schools, water systems, and clean energy capacity. These investments in our country are what created the middle class, and renewed investment would help local business and provide employment and purpose to Floridians currently out of work. LGBT equality Here in Central Florida, we embrace our proud LGBT community – and after the horrific attack on the Pulse nightclub in 2016, we all rallied together to support our gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender brothers and sisters. Our neighbors are of every race, religion, nationality, gender identity, and sexual orientation and we are proud of it. We celebrate it. We believe love is love. That’s what makes us Orlando Strong. In the Florida Senate, I sponsored legislation to remove the provision in Florida statutes that defined marriage between a man and a woman. I also led the effort to filibuster a bill that would allow discrimination of LGBT couples in the adoption process. In Congress, I was proud to vote against banning transgender Americans from serving in our military. I continue to strongly oppose the Trump administration’s attempts to reduce healthcare rights for the LGBT+ community. In addition, I stand strongly against Trump’s attempts to allow open discrimination against the LGBT+ community under the guise of religion. In Congress, I’ll fight to pass the Equality Act to provide nationwide protections to LGBT+ Americans against discrimination in employment, housing, and education. Health care I support Medicare for All to provide a public option to complement the ACA. There have been several attempts to cut healthcare coverage under the Trump Administration. We expect more of their attempts to undermine our health care system in order to give tax cuts to wealthy corporations. When someone is sick or injured, we have a responsibility to ensure they get the care they need--without going bankrupt. President Obama’s Affordable Care Act expanded access to quality health care and brought the number of uninsured to a historic low. With your support, I’ll do everything I can in Congress to stop the Republicans from repealing it. In all, over 1.6 million Floridians now have quality health insurance thanks to the Affordable Care Act, and it’s making a real difference in the lives of those who went years without seeing a doctor. All Floridians should have access to health coverage. I’ve been leading the fight to expand Medicaid in Florida, and in Congress, I’ll continue the fight to defend and improve on the Affordable Care Act. Immigration reform Passing comprehensive immigration reform – with a pathway to citizenship – must be at the top of our agenda. Our laws need to catch up with our values and with reality. We aren’t going to deport 11 million undocumented people, the vast majority of whom are working hard, paying taxes, playing by the rules, and contributing to our economy and our community. In the Florida Legislature, I worked across the aisle to get progressive priorities signed into law in a contentious political environment – including bills to allow DREAMers to pay in-state tuition at our public universities and to be admitted to the Florida Bar. Trade NAFTA didn't work, and I opposed the TPP as well. I believe we can and must do better, but insulting our allies and friends is not the way to achieve our trade goals. "Free trade" is a nice idea, in theory. But when a "free" trade deal is unfair to working families in Florida, I'll fight it every step of the way. [65] |
” |
| —Darren Soto Democrat for Congress[66] | ||
2016
Campaign Website
The following issues were listed on Soto's campaign website. For a full list of campaign themes, click here.
| “ |
|
” |
| —Darren Soto's campaign website, http://www.darrensoto.com/issues/ | ||
Campaign donors
Comprehensive donor history
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
| Darren Soto campaign contribution history | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Office | Result | Contributions |
| 2018 | U.S. House Florida District 9 | ✔ | $1,501,577 |
| 2016 | U.S. House, Florida District 9 | ✔ | $1,185,911 |
| 2014 | Florida State Senate, District 14 | ✔ | $137,925 |
| 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 | $3,397,927 | ||
|
Source: Follow the Money |
|||
2018
| U.S. House Florida District 9 2018 election - Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Top industry contributors to Darren Soto's campaign in 2018 | |
| Labor | $185,200.00 |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | $168,750.00 |
| Health | $109,750.00 |
| Lawyers & Lobbyists | $100,600.00 |
| Agriculture | $67,000.00 |
| Total Raised in 2018 | $1,501,577.48 |
| Source: Follow the Money | |
| U.S. House Florida District 9 2018 election - Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Top individual contributors to Darren Soto's campaign in 2018 | |
| CROWN, JAMES SCHINE | $5,400.00 |
| GUILLERMETY MATIENZO, RAFAEL | $5,400.00 |
| KEEN, ALLAN E | $5,400.00 |
| BILLS, MICHAEL D | $5,400.00 |
| CROWN, PAULA HANNAWAY | $5,400.00 |
| Total Raised in 2018 | $1,501,577.48 |
| Source: Follow the Money | |
2014
Soto won re-election to the Florida State Senate in 2014. During that election cycle, Soto raised a total of $137,925.| Florida State Senate 2014 election - Campaign Contributions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top contributors to Darren Soto's campaign in 2014 | ||||
| Walt Disney | $8,000 | |||
| Southern Gardens Citrus Nursery | $4,000 | |||
| Florida Beer Wholesalers Association | $2,500 | |||
| Orange Lake Resort Coalition | $2,000 | |||
| Florida Professional Fire Fighters Association | $2,000 | |||
| Total Raised in 2014 | $137,925 | |||
| Source: Follow the Money | ||||
2016
Soto won election to the U.S. House in 2016. During that election cycle, Soto's campaign committee raised a total of $1,185,911 and spent $1,160,076.[67] This is less than the average $1.46 million spent by U.S. House winners in 2016.[68]
Cost per vote
Soto spent $5.94 per general election vote received in 2016.
| U.S. House, Florida District 9, 2016 - Darren Soto Campaign Contributions | |
|---|---|
| Total Raised | $1,185,911 |
| Total Spent | $1,160,076 |
| Total Raised by Election Runner-up | $32,431 |
| Total Spent by Election Runner-up | $31,935 |
| Top contributors to Darren Soto's campaign committee | |
| Morgan & Morgan | $12,950 |
| Democrats Win Seats PAC | $11,000 |
| New Democrat Coalition | $11,000 |
| Fanjul Corp | $10,800 |
| Hospital Hermanos Melendez | $10,800 |
| Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee | |
| Lawyers/Law Firms | $128,866 |
| Leadership PACs | $67,950 |
| Health Professionals | $47,820 |
| Real Estate | $43,685 |
| Crop Production & Basic Processing | $37,965 |
| Source: Open Secrets | |
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 for 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 | ||||
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Florida scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.
2016
In 2016, the Florida State Legislature was in session from January 12 through March 11.
- Legislators are scored on their stances on economic issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to social issues.
- Legislators are scored on their stances on healthcare related issues.
- Legislators are scored on whether the organization believes they are making an effort to provide “a uniform, efficient, safe, secure, and high quality system of free public schools that allows students to obtain a high quality education.”
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills supported or opposed by the organization.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on bills related to business issues.
- Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.
2015
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2015, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 1.
|
2014
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2014, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 3 through May 5.
|
2013
| To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
|---|
|
In 2013, the Florida State Legislature was in session from March 5 through May 3.
|
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for Darren + Soto + Florida + Senate
See also
2020 Elections
External links
|
Candidate U.S. House Florida District 9 |
Officeholder U.S. House Florida District 9 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Congressman Darren Soto, "COMMITTEES, LEADERSHIP, & CAUCUSES," accessed January 27, 2019
- ↑ Project Vote Smart, "Rep. Soto Biography," accessed April 23, 2014
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "SOTO, Darren Michael, (1978 - )," accessed January 11, 2017
- ↑ U.S. House Clerk, ""Official Alphabetical List of the House of Representatives of the United States One Hundred Fifteenth Congress,"" accessed February 2, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed December 13, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 284," June 21, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 282," June 21, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 434," accessed March 12, 2019
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 549," October 3, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 344," June 29, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 342," June 29, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 256," May 4, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 405," September 26, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 399," September 13, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 313," June 28, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 257," June 8, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 216," May 22, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 127," March 22, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 69," February 9, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 60," February 6, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 44," January 22, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 33," January 18, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 708," December 21, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 692," December 19, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 670," December 7, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 637," November 16, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 589," October 26, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 557," October 5, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 528," September 14, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 480," September 8, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 441," September 6, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 299," June 8, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 249," May 3, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 230," May 24, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 49," January 30, 2018
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 631," November 14, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 435," July 27, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 413," July 25, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 437," July 28, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 407," July 24, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results For Roll Call 378," July 14, 2017
- ↑ Clerk.House.gov, "Final Vote Results for Roll Call 136," March 8, 2017
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs namedvota - ↑ 44.0 44.1 44.2 DarrenSoto.com, Accessed May 16, 2018
- ↑ Floridapolitics.com, "Darren Soto picks up Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida nod" July 26, 2018
- ↑ Floridapolitics.com, "Moms gun control group likes Darren Soto in CD 9," July 19, 2018
- ↑ , "Darren Soto endorsed by Latino Victory Fund," July 17, 2018
- ↑ Floridapolitics.com, "Alan Grayson gets backing of Blue America PAC in CD 9 Democratic race," May 10, 2018
- ↑ DarrenSoto.com, "Progressive Caucus Endorses Soto," March 16, 2018
- ↑ Politico, "Grayson says he'll challenge Soto in Florida's 9th," May 1, 2018
- ↑ 51.0 51.1 Florida Politics, "Darren Soto picks up nods from firefighters, police unions," June 5, 2018
- ↑ Florida Politics, "Darren Soto picks up Human Rights Campaign endorsement," June 19, 2018
- ↑ Florida Politics, "Social Security Group endorses Darren Soto in for re-election," July 12, 2018
- ↑ Orlando Politics, "Alan Grayson Receives Endorsement from Our Revolution Orlando," July 12, 2018
- ↑ Florida Politics, "Darren Soto picks up endorsement from U.S. Rep. John Lewis," May 17, 2018
- ↑ Politico, "Biden endorses Soto over Grayson in Florida congressional primary," May 29, 2018
- ↑ Florida Department of State, "Candidate Listing for 2016 General Election," accessed June 25, 2016
- ↑ Politico, " Florida House Races Results," August 30, 2016
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "2014 Florida Election Watch - Multi-County or District Offices," accessed September 3, 2014
- ↑ Florida Division of Elections, "Candidate Listing for 2014 General Election," accessed June 23, 2014
- ↑ Florida Elections Division, "Candidate List," accessed June 14, 2012
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "November 2, 2010, Election Results," November 2, 2010
- ↑ Florida Department of Elections, "Florida House Official Election Results," November 4, 2008
- ↑ District 49 Florida House candidate funds, 2008
- ↑ 65.0 65.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ "Darren on the issues," accessed May 16, 2018
- ↑ Open Secrets, "Career Fundraising for Darren Soto," accessed May 9, 2017
- ↑ Open Secrets, "Winning vs. Spending," accessed March 22, 2016
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Alan Grayson (D) |
U.S. House, Florida, District 9 2017–Present |
Succeeded by N/A |
| Preceded by Steve Oelrich (R) |
Florida State Senate District 14 2012–2016 |
Succeeded by Dorothy Hukill (R) |
| Preceded by - |
Florida House of Representatives District 49 2007–2012 |
Succeeded by Joe Saunders (D) |
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