Darren Soto
Darren Soto, an attorney, served in the Florida House and Senate before winning the 9th District seat in 2016; he has represented it since 2017 and was unopposed in the Aug. 18, 2026 Democratic primary. The April 2026 map redrew his district, which had been a Hispanic-majority seat protected under the Voting Rights Act, into one where about 58% of voters backed Donald Trump in 2024; Cook, Sabato and Inside Elections rated the new district Likely Republican as of August 2026.
How they got on the ballot: Unopposed in Aug 18, 2026 Democratic primary (CBS News: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-9th-congressional-district-primary-results-darren-soto-redistricting/)
Positions on the major issues
Compare with opponents →Each entry describes what the candidate has said or done, and what they say they will do, in neutral terms with sources. The chip shows how that relates to the statement voters rate in the matching tool.
Taxes & spending Leans disagree· based on record
Soto voted against H.R. 1 (the 2025 reconciliation law), which paired extended tax cuts with reductions in projected Medicaid and SNAP spending. All House Democrats voted no.
Immigration Strongly disagrees· based on record
Soto voted against the Laken Riley Act in January 2025 and explained his opposition in an interview with the Florida Phoenix; the Republican Party of Florida ran ads criticizing the vote.
Abortion Strongly agrees· stated position
With the Florida Democratic delegation, Soto called the state's six-week ban 'draconian' and 'a blow to Floridians' reproductive freedom,' saying the decision to seek an abortion should remain private and not be put in the hands of politicians.
"The decision to seek an abortion is a personal decision that should remain private, not be put in the hands of politicians."
Guns Strongly agrees· stated position
His campaign site has a gun-safety-reform page and he has said he is 'committed to remaining in the fight for common sense gun safety reforms' while respecting Second Amendment rights; he has discussed state and federal gun-safety measures at town halls.
"We can respect Second Amendment rights while keeping guns out of dangerous hands."
Health care Strongly agrees· based on record
Soto voted against H.R. 1 and, during committee consideration, displayed photos of children on Medicaid, saying half the children in his district are on Medicaid or KidCare and that the bill's Medicaid reductions would affect them.
"You can't cut $715 billion from Medicaid, and then not have this affect our kids."
Energy & utilities Leans agree· based on record
Voted against H.R. 1 (2025), which repealed most clean-energy tax credits.
Trump administration Leans disagree· stated position
His office's 2025 end-of-year report describes 'holding the Trump Administration accountable' as a priority, and he joined members seeking an inspector-general probe into the administration's delay of Puerto Rico disaster funds.
No public position found on 10 issues
We searched campaign sites, questionnaires, interviews, votes and official actions and did not find a clear stance on: Housing affordability, Social Security & Medicare, Education & school choice, Environment & water, Elections & voting, Crime & policing, Gender identity laws, Tariffs & trade, Ukraine, Veterans. This is reported as unknown rather than guessed from party affiliation; these issues are excluded from this candidate's match score.
Other issues this candidate has raised
- Puerto Rico recovery and drinking water — Maintains a Puerto Rico issue page and 'recovery blueprint'; in August 2026 led a letter urging the EPA to address a drinking-water emergency on the island.
- Children's Medicaid and KidCare — Says half of the children in his district rely on Medicaid or KidCare and has opposed federal Medicaid reductions.
- Impoundment of appropriated funds — Sought an inspector-general inquiry into whether delaying Puerto Rico disaster funds violated the Impoundment Control Act.
Record: votes, actions and documented facts
- Voted against H.R. 1, the 2025 reconciliation law (all House Democrats voted no); the NRCC criticized the vote as jeopardizing benefits for Floridians.
- Voted against the Laken Riley Act (Jan. 2025); the Republican Party of Florida ran ads criticizing him and Rep. Frost over the vote.
- Led an August 2026 letter to the EPA on Puerto Rico's drinking-water emergency.