Darren Soto – Senate District 14 | Elect Darren Soto Senate District 14

Family

Sen. Soto is of both Puerto Rican and Italian descent. Darren's father, Louis Soto, was born in Manati, Puerto Rico and is the former Treasurer for the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for Metro Orlando. Darren's mother, Jean Soto, was born in Paterson, New Jersey from second generation Italian-Americans.

Education & Career

Sen. Soto has a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and attended Law School at George Washington University. Rep. Soto is a commercial and civil rights attorney proudly practicing law in Central Florida. He is ardent defender of civil rights and is committed to rendering legal services pro bono to the community. In 2006, he was named class counsel in the federal class action brought on behalf of Hispanic voters against the City of Kissimmee in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida. Rep. Soto would like to continue to defend the rights and interests of our citizens in Tallahassee.

Community Involvement

Sen. Soto is also a former member of the Civil Service Board for the City of Orlando, and he is currently the Treasurer of the Orange County Democrats and the Vice President of Communications for the Orange County Young Democrats (YD's). He is also the YD Co-Host for their Speak Easy events that provide a monthly forum for local and state leaders to speak to young voters.

Experience

Darren was elected to the Florida House of Representatives to serve as State Representative to District 49 in a special election in 2007 and was subsequently re-elected in 2008 with 65% of the vote and again in 2010 with 75% of the vote. He has passed several important pieces of legislation including the Luis Rivera-Ortega Street Racing Act, the Firefighter Death Benefit Bill (inspired by the death of Volusia County firefighter John C. Curry), and the Bus Driver Notification Bill. He has also been a critical voice in defeating attempts to convert Florida to non-judicial foreclosures, stopping the split of the Florida Supreme Court and blocking a proposed anti-Hispanic Arizona-Styled immigration law in Florida.