Darren Soto — Democrat Candidate for U.S. House in Florida, 2026

Congressman Darren Soto supports comprehensive immigration reform, advocating for pathways to citizenship and improved immigration courts. He co-authored a letter strongly opposing a new ICE detention facility in Central Florida, citing human rights concerns and community destabilization. Soto has also supported legislation to make college more affordable for DREAMers and allow them to practice law in Florida, emphasizing the economic and societal contributions of immigrants.

“The crackdown on immigration has been a costly effort for our state that has only served to destabilize our communities and cause egregious human rights violations. Our constituents live in fear, including those here legally, and further expansion in Florida will only further harm our constituents and our communities. We vehemently oppose an additional ICE detention facility in Central Florida. - Darren Soto, Letter to DHS and ICE with Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost, February 6, 2026”

Darren Soto supports the Affordable Care Act, believing healthcare is a right for all Americans that protects those with pre-existing conditions. He opposes repealing the Act without a suitable replacement, while remaining open to improvements. Soto has co-sponsored legislation to expand Medicare coverage for services such as vision, hearing, and dental care, and to extend SSI, Medicare, Medicaid, or CHIP benefits. He voted against $210 million in rural healthcare funding for Florida in 2026.

Representative Darren Soto supports incentivizing renewable energy like solar, wind, biofuels, and hydropower to combat climate change and protect Florida's environment. He advocates for banning fracking on public lands and offshore drilling near Florida's coast, citing environmental protection for the state's economy and quality of life. Soto was named Champion of the Everglades by Audubon Florida in 2015 and is endorsed by the League of Conservation Voters.

“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. I'm outraged that Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. America should be at the forefront of the effort to reduce fossil fuel emissions and confront the threat of climate change.”

Darren Soto strongly supports abortion rights, evidenced by his cosponsorship of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which aims to codify Roe v. Wade protections and enshrine the national right to abortion into law. He also voted against the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act. His legislative efforts extend to the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, intended to protect interstate travel for reproductive healthcare and advance gender equity.

“I am a strong supporter of multiple pieces of abortion rights legislation, including the Ensuring Women’s Right to Reproductive Freedom Act, to protect the right to travel between states for reproductive health care and the removal of the ratification deadline for the Equal Rights Amendment, to enshrine gender equity in the U.S. constitution. That is why I am a proud cosponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act, which would codify the protections of Roe v. Wade and enshrine the national right to abortion into law. — Rep. Darren Soto, soto.house.gov/services/know-your-reproductive-rights-access-care”

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Research pending more substantial sources.

“Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise to honor Dr. Nykowanna Harris Sloan. With nearly three decades of dedicated service in education, Dr. Nykowanna Harris Sloan is a steadfast advocate for equity, empowerment, and excellence. Her professional journey reflects an enduring commitment to student achievement, youth development, and dismantling systemic barriers that disproportionately affect underserved and historically marginalized Central Florida communities. A recognized champion of restorative practices and culturally responsive education, Dr. Sloan’s leadership has transformed school cultures and expanded opportunities for countless students.”

Following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, Representative Darren Soto proposed a five-point gun safety plan. This plan includes universal background checks, banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, creating a red-flag system, and implementing a 'No Fly, No Buy' policy with judicial review. He states his commitment to gun safety reforms while respecting Second Amendment rights. Giffords, a gun safety advocacy organization, has endorsed his candidacy.

“I’m not afraid to stand up to the gun lobby. I am committed to remaining in the 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. — Darren Soto, Darren Soto for Congress website (© 2024)”