Darren Soto
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Darren Michael Soto (born February 25, 1978) is an American attorney and Democratic politician from
Kissimmee, Florida Kissimmee ( ) is the largest city and county seat of Osceola County, Florida, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 79,226. It is a Principal City of the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida, Metropolitan Statistical Area, wh ...
, who is the
U.S. representative The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...
for Florida's 9th district. Before his election to Congress, Soto served four years in the
Florida Senate The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida, the Florida House of Representatives being the lower house. Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution of Florida, adopted ...
and five in the
Florida House of Representatives The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida, the Florida Senate being the upper house. Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution of Florida, adopted ...
, representing parts of central Florida.


Early life and education

Soto was born in
Ringwood, New Jersey Ringwood is a borough in Passaic County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, the borough's population was 11,735, a decline of 493 (−4.0%) from the 2010 census count of 12,228,Puerto Rican father, O. Lou Soto, and an
Italian-American Italian Americans ( it, italoamericani or ''italo-americani'', ) are Americans who have full or partial Italian ancestry. The largest concentrations of Italian Americans are in the urban Northeast and industrial Midwestern metropolitan areas, w ...
mother, Jean Soto. As a student at
Lakeland Regional High School Lakeland Regional High School is a comprehensive regional four-year public high school and school district serving students from the Boroughs of Ringwood and Wanaque (including its Haskell neighborhood), communities in Passaic County, New ...
, Soto aspired to attend
Yale University Yale University is a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut. Established in 1701 as the Collegiate School, it is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and among the most prestigious in the wo ...
, but told '' The Record'' that his opportunities to attend were hampered by his teachers' unwillingness to write recommendations for him while they were involved in a contract dispute with the district.


Florida House of Representatives

In 2006, Soto ran for the
Florida House of Representatives The Florida House of Representatives is the lower house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida, the Florida Senate being the upper house. Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution of Florida, adopted ...
from the 40th district, unsuccessfully challenging incumbent Andy Gardiner. In April 2007, he won the crowded Democratic primary in a special election to replace John Quinones, who had resigned to run for the Osceola County Commission. In the general election, Soto defeated
Republican Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
nominee Tony Suarez by 285 votes. Soto was overwhelmingly reelected in 2008 and 2010. During his three terms in the Florida House, Soto supported laws to curb illegal street racing, passed the “John C Curry” Firefighter Death Benefit Act to protect families of fallen firefighters who died in training exercises, and the Bus Driver Notification Act to help school bus safety.


Florida Senate

In 2012,
Florida Senate The Florida Senate is the upper house of the Florida Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Florida, the Florida House of Representatives being the lower house. Article III, Section 1 of the Constitution of Florida, adopted ...
districts were redrawn, and Soto opted not to run for reelection in the House but instead to run for the newly created 14th district, which included predominantly Latino areas of
Orange Orange most often refers to: *Orange (fruit), the fruit of the tree species '' Citrus'' × ''sinensis'' ** Orange blossom, its fragrant flower *Orange (colour), from the color of an orange, occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum * ...
,
Osceola Osceola (1804 – January 30, 1838, Asi-yahola in Muscogee language, Creek), named Billy Powell at birth in Alabama, became an influential leader of the Seminole people in Florida. His mother was Muscogee, and his great-grandfather was a S ...
, and Polk Counties. He won his party's nomination uncontested and defeated Republican nominee Will McBride with over 70% of the vote. In 2013, Soto voted for legislation to expedite driver's license access for DREAMers but it was ultimately vetoed by Governor
Rick Scott Richard Lynn Scott ( Myers, born December 1, 1952) is an American politician serving as the junior United States senator from Florida since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he was the 45th governor of Florida from 2011 to 2019. Scott ...
, setting off statewide protests. He unsuccessfully proposed an amendment to require jury votes of 10 jurors rather than a majority of 7 for death penalties. In 2014, Soto passed legislation answering the
Florida Supreme Court The Supreme Court of Florida is the highest court in the U.S. state of Florida. It consists of seven members: the chief justice and six justices. Six members are chosen from six districts around the state to foster geographic diversity, and one ...
's call to give it the authority to admit immigrant lawyers to the Florida Bar. He also advocated legislation to give DREAMers in-state college tuition. He secured the initial state funding to establish a Poinciana Valencia Campus and to initiate the Lake Toho Restoration, which will clean water flowing through the Northern Everglades. In addition, he led the Democratic House and Senate Caucuses in drafting a Congressional map during the 2014 Special Session on Redistricting. During the 2015 legislative session, Soto was fundamental in securing $11.9 million in funding for Valencia College's Poinciana campus. He also successfully pushed for $20 million to restore the
Kissimmee River The Kissimmee River is a river in south-central Florida, United States that forms the north part of the Everglades wetlands area. The river begins at East Lake Tohopekaliga south of Orlando, flowing south through Lake Kissimmee into the large, sh ...
. This earned him the Audubon Society of Florida's "Champion of the Everglades" award. Soto also proposed legislation to ban fracking in Florida. He secured $10 million in Florida's budget to promote economic growth in Osceola County for a new facility to manufacture high-tech sensors, but Governor Scott vetoed the project. Soto also introduced a bill to boost minimum teacher pay to $50,000 per year. Soto steered funding to his district, including $15 million for the UCF Sensors Manufacturing Center, $12 million to complete the construction of the Poinciana Valencia College campus, $4 million in supplemental school construction money, $750,000 for the Northern Everglades and Lake Toho initiatives, and $150,000 for a transition house that offers temporary housing for veterans. In 2016, Soto supported Chloe's Law to construct barriers around water bodies adjacent to state roads, the Deaf Floridian's ID bill, and the Juvenile Clean Slate bill, which automatically seals misdemeanor records for juveniles who reach 21 years of age and do not reoffend as adults.


U.S. House of Representatives


Elections


2016

Soto won the Democratic nomination to succeed Representative
Alan Grayson Alan Mark Grayson (born March 13, 1958) is an American politician who served as the U.S. representative for from 2009 to 2011 and from 2013 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, he was defeated for reelection in 2010 by Republican Daniel ...
, who stepped down to run in the primary for U.S. Senate in Florida's 9th congressional district. Soto earned 36% of the vote in a four-way primary election. The district is Democratic-leaning and contains all of Osceola County and parts of Orange and Polk counties. Soto represented the majority of this district while serving in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. The ''
Orlando Sentinel The ''Orlando Sentinel'' is the primary newspaper of Orlando, Florida, and the Central Florida region. It was founded in 1876 and is currently owned by Tribune Publishing Company. The ''Orlando Sentinel'' is owned by parent company, '' Tribune P ...
'' endorsed him in his primary race, calling him an "effective lawmaker". In the general election, Soto defeated Republican nominee Wayne Liebnitzky, 57%–43%.Finally! Darren Soto makes history as the first Puerto Rican to represent Florida in the U.S. Congress
''
Latina Latina or Latinas most often refers to: * Latinas, a demographic group in the United States * Latino (demonym), a term used in the United States for people with cultural ties to Latin America. *Latin Americans Latina and Latinas may also refer ...
'', BY Raquel Reichard, November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 13, 2016.


2018

On August 28, Soto won the Democratic primary with 66% of the vote, defeating a challenge from Grayson. Soto received endorsements from multiple Democratic organizations, such as the National Organization for Women, Pride Fund to End Gun Violence, Giffords PAC, Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida, National Committee to Preserve Social Security & Medicare, Equality PAC, League of Conservation Voters, Human Rights Campaign, Florida AFL-CIO, Florida Young Democrats, Orlando Professional Fire Fighters International Association of Fire Fighters Local 1365, Central
Florida Police Benevolent Association The Florida Police Benevolent Association is a state-wide police union established in 1972, with a reported total membership of over 36,000. The union is "politically proactive", engaged in labor negotiations, advocacy, legal defense, and politica ...
, Florida LGBTA Democratic Caucus, eMgage PAC, Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, and Planned Parenthood. Soto also had the backing of Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Representatives
John Lewis John Robert Lewis (February 21, 1940 – July 17, 2020) was an American politician and civil rights activist who served in the United States House of Representatives for from 1987 until his death in 2020. He participated in the 1960 Nashville ...
and
Linda Sánchez Linda Teresa Sánchez (born January 28, 1969) is an American politician and former labor lawyer serving as the U.S. representative for . A member of the Democratic Party, Sánchez was first elected to Congress in 2002. She serves on the Ways an ...
, Florida State Senator Vic Torres, and every Florida Democratic member of Congress. On November 6, Soto won the general election, defeating Republican nominee Wayne Liebnitzky with 58% of the vote.


2020

Soto ran for a third term and was virtually unopposed in the Democratic primary, with only one challenger, who dropped out in October 2019. In the November 3 general election, he defeated Republican nominee Bill Olson with just over 56% of the vote.


Tenure

Soto is the first congressman of Puerto Rican descent elected from Florida. In his first few weeks, Speaker
Nancy Pelosi Nancy Patricia Pelosi (; ; born March 26, 1940) is an American politician who has served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives since 2019 and previously from 2007 to 2011. She has represented in the United States House of ...
named him one of three freshmen members to the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. He was also named co-chair of the House Democratic Caucus New Economy Task Force. On April 5, 2017, Soto and Senator
Bill Nelson Clarence William Nelson II (born September 29, 1942) is an American politician and attorney serving as the administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Nelson previously served as a United States Senator from Flor ...
passed their Hurricane Hunters bill (HR 1008) by amendment to the Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017. This legislation adds two backup Hurricane Hunter aircraft to the NOAA fleet to increase hurricane monitoring and preparedness. On December 23, 2017, Soto passed his second bill, the Foreign Spill Protection Act, with co-introducer
Carlos Curbelo Carlos Luis Curbelo (born March 1, 1980) is an American politician who served as the United States House of Representatives, U.S. representative for Florida's 26th congressional district from 2015 to 2019. In 2018 United States House of Represen ...
. The bill eliminates a $1 billion cap on damages for foreign oil drillers, whose oil spills pollute America’s waters, to better protect Florida’s coasts. Soto introduced a bill to rename a Kissimmee Post Office (HR 4042) at 1415 West Oak St after the Borinqueneers. This bill passed both chambers of Congress and was signed into law on March 23, 2018. The Borinqueneers were a U.S. Army segregated unit of Puerto Ricans who fought in World War I, World War II and the Korean War. Soto passed a law to protect billfish, such as marlin, spearfish, and sailfish. H.R. 4528 closes a loophole in the Billfish Conservation Act making it illegal to sell billfish in the continental United States. The law passed the House on June 25, 2018, and was signed into law on August 2, 2018. Soto negotiated with Brightline (now Virgin Trains) to build the link between their train and SunRail. He was tied for first for most laws passed by a freshman member of the 115th Congress. He also filed the second most bills of any freshman. Following reelection, Soto secured a spot on the Energy and Commerce Committee. On June 24, 2019, Soto passed his first law of the 116th Congress, the Strengthening Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health (SMASH) Act, which aims to combat future Zika outbreaks in Florida, Puerto Rico and other areas. On July 25, 2019, Soto passed the Venezuela TPS Act of 2019 out of the House as the last bill to pass before the August District Work Period. On December 18, 2019, Soto voted for both articles of impeachment against President
Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pe ...
. In his second term, Soto worked with
Val Demings Valdez Venita Demings (née Butler; born March 12, 1957) is an American politician and former police officer serving as the U.S. representative from since 2017. The district covers most of the western half of Orlando and includes much of the ar ...
and
Stephanie Murphy Stephanie Murphy (born Đặng Thị Ngọc Dung; September 16, 1978) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative for Florida's 7th congressional district since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she defeated incumbent Repu ...
to renew federal grants to the Central Florida region, including over $30 million for affordable housing and to prevent homelessness, $3.25 million to fund local anti-terrorism efforts, and $1.961 million for zero-emission Lynx Lymmo buses. Soto also assisted in securing federal grants of nearly $30 million for
Hurricane Irma Hurricane Irma was an extremely powerful Cape Verde hurricane that caused widespread destruction across its path in September 2017. Irma was the first Category 5 hurricane to strike the Leeward Islands on record, followed by Maria two ...
disaster relief to Polk and Osceola Counties, over $3 million for healthcare clinics in Osceola and Polk Counties, and $250,000 to improve Kissimmee and Winter Haven airports. During the
COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...
, Soto voted for all four pandemic relief packages, including the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act 2020, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act (
CARES Act The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, is a $2.2trillion Stimulus (economics), economic stimulus bill passed by the 116th U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Donald Trump on March 27, 2 ...
) and the
Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act () is a $484billion law that increases funding to the Paycheck Protection Program and also provide more funding for hospitals and testing for COVID-19. The bill passed the Senate by voi ...
to help the nation combat the crisis. He has helped lead Florida’s delegation in securing additional supplies of
remdesivir Remdesivir, sold under the brand name Veklury, Text was copied from this source which is © European Medicines Agency. Reproduction is authorized provided the source is acknowledged. is a broad-spectrum antiviral medication developed by the ...
from his position on the Energy and Commerce Committee. On May 15, 2020, Soto voted for the
HEROES Act The Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions Act, or Heroes Act (), was proposed legislation acting as a $3 trillion stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, intended to supplement the earlier CARES Act stimulus p ...
, which passed the House and provided further pandemic relief. This legislation included his Save Our Homes Act, which helps homeowners save their homes from foreclosure by ending forbearance agreement balloon payments. On October 2, 2020, Soto voted for the updated HEROES Act. This compromise legislation amended the original bill, would provide further pandemic relief and passed the House. At the time of its passage, the Senate still had failed to pass a new pandemic relief package. On June 26, 2020, Soto passed legislation out of the House designating the Pulse National Memorial in recognition and memory of the 49 killed and 53 injured at the
Pulse Nightclub shooting On , 2016, Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old man, killed 49 people and wounded 53 more in a mass shooting at Pulse (nightclub), Pulse, a gay bar, gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, United States. Orlando Police officers shot and killed him after a thr ...
. He introduced this bill with Demings and Murphy. Upon its passage, Soto said, "Today, we remind the world that hate will never defeat love, grief can turn into strength and that a place of loss can become a sanctuary of healing. Together, we will continue to open minds and hearts. We will make the Pulse Memorial a national symbol of hope, love and light." On July 1, 2020, Soto voted for the Moving Forward Act, a national infrastructure improvement plan. Of the bill, he said, "As our nation continues to confront the coronavirus crisis, this legislation will create millions of good-paying jobs and equip our nation with the 21st-century infrastructure critical to growing our economy and helping our communities prosper for decades to come. Passage of this bold legislation also means more funding to help complete the I-4 Expansion quickly and safely."


Committee assignments

*
United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce The Committee on Energy and Commerce is one of the oldest standing committees of the United States House of Representatives. Established in 1795, it has operated continuously—with various name changes and jurisdictional changes—for more tha ...
**
United States House Energy Subcommittee on Communications and Technology The U.S. House Energy Subcommittee on Communications and Technology is a subcommittee within the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce, House Committee on Energy and Commerce. The subcommittee existed as the ''Subcommittee on Communic ...
**
United States House Energy Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce The House Subcommittee on Consumer Protection and Commerce is a subcommittee within the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Jurisdiction The committee has jurisdiction over issues affecting interstate and foreign commerce, inclu ...
**
United States House Energy Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change The Energy Subcommittee on Environment and Climate Change is a subcommittee within the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. Prior to 2009, it was known as the Subcommittee on Environment and Hazardous Materials; it was part of the Subcommittee ...
* Committee on Natural Resources ** Subcommittee on Indigenous Peoples of the United States


Caucus memberships

*
Congressional Progressive Caucus The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is a congressional caucus affiliated with the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party in the United States Congress. The CPC represents the most Left-wing politics, left-leaning faction of the ...
*
New Democrat Coalition The New Democrat Coalition is a congressional caucus, caucus in the United States House of Representatives, House of Representatives of the United States Congress made up of Democratic Party (United States), Democrats, primarily Centrism, cent ...
*
Congressional Hispanic Caucus The Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) is an organization of 38 Democratic members of the United States Congress of Hispanic and Latino descent. The Caucus focuses on issues affecting Hispanics and Latinos in the United States. The CHC was fou ...
* U.S.-Japan Caucus * Problem Solvers Caucus


Political positions


Immigration

Soto is a staunch advocate for DREAMers and has worked with fellow members of the Hispanic Caucus to pass the DREAM Act. In June 2018, he traveled with several Democratic members of Congress to Homestead, Florida, to tour a detention facility, where he argued against Trump's zero tolerance policy and the separation of children and families. He has been a vocal advocate in Congress for Alejandra Juarez, the wife of an Iraq combat veteran and mother of two American daughters, who was deported to Mexico due to Trump's policy. "Zero tolerance literally ripped this family apart", Soto said. "The administration is so extreme on immigration that they're deporting the spouses of military veterans."


Environmental policy

For 2017, Soto was considered the Florida Congressional delegation's greenest member. He received a perfect score of 100 for his environmental issues voting record from the National League of Conservation Voters. He introduced the Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2017 (H.R.3961), which passed unanimously out of committee on January 17, 2018. On April 16, 2018, it passed unanimously out of the House. Soto helped lead opposition to Trump administration proposals to permit oil drilling off Florida's Gulf and Atlantic coasts during House Committee on Natural Resources meetings. He has also supported funding increases for the National Estuary Program the National Wildlife Refuge System program. On June 6, 2018, Soto passed his Shark and Billfish Protection Act out of House Natural Resources Committee. Bill Nelson passed the Senate companion bill on October 2, 2017.


Gun control

Soto received an F rating from the
NRA The National Rifle Association of America (NRA) is a gun rights advocacy group based in the United States. Founded in 1871 to advance rifle marksmanship, the modern NRA has become a prominent gun rights lobbying organization while conti ...
during his first term in Congress and supported numerous gun law reforms. On February 27, 2019, he voted for the Universal Background Check Bill. Soto received an A rating from the NRA in 2012, but his views changed after the 2012
Sandy Hook shooting The Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting occurred on December 14, 2012, in Newtown, Connecticut, United States, when 20-year-old Adam Lanza shot and killed 26 people. Twenty of the victims were children between six and seven years old, and th ...
. In the Florida Senate, he became a reliable vote for gun control, which ultimately led to earning a D rating from the NRA for his service there from 2013 to 2016. After the 2016
Orlando nightclub shooting On , 2016, Omar Mateen, a 29-year-old man, killed 49 people and wounded 53 more in a mass shooting at Pulse, a gay nightclub in Orlando, Florida, United States. Orlando Police officers shot and killed him after a three-hour standoff. In a 9- ...
, Soto called for a special session to prevent those on the
FBI The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and its principal Federal law enforcement in the United States, federal law enforcement age ...
's
No Fly List The No Fly List maintained by the United States federal government's Terrorist Screening Center (TSC) is one of several lists included in algorithmic rulesets used by government agencies and airlines to decide who to allow to board airline flight ...
from purchasing firearms. Since 2017, he has been a reliable vote for gun law reform. After the 2018
Stoneman Douglas High School shooting On February 14, 2018, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire on students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the Miami suburban town of Parkland, Florida, murdering 17 people and injuring 17 others. Cruz, a former student at t ...
, he proposed a "Gun Safety Action Plan". He listed five steps: universal background checks for gun purchases, keeping guns away from those who are a danger to themselves or others, banning assault weapons and bump stocks, creating a "red-flag" system to issue gun restraining orders, and disallowing anyone on the federal terrorism no-fly list from buying a gun. Soto also said gun control would be "one of those litmus test issues" in the
2018 midterm elections The 2018 United States elections were held on Tuesday, November 6, 2018. These midterm elections occurred during Republican Donald Trump's term. Democrats made a net gain of 41 seats in the United States House of Representatives, gaining a majo ...
.


Hurricane safety

Working with Nelson, Soto passed his first law in Congress on April 18, 2017, creating a backup fleet of hurricane hunter aircraft to monitor hurricanes affecting Florida and other nearby areas.


Recovery assistance

Soto is working on debt reduction and tax, healthcare, agriculture and small business relief to assist Puerto Rico's economic recovery. He also co-signed a bipartisan letter requesting FEMA Designation of Individual Assistance for the citizens of Orange, Osceola, Polk, Lake and Seminole Counties after Hurricane Irma. In 2018, he voted to renew recovery funds to Central Florida and Puerto Rico after Hurricanes Irma and Maria.


Personal life

Soto’s major hobby is music and he has been writing songs and playing in bands since he was in high school. He is a singer, songwriter and guitarist for the Orlando folk rock band Orange Creek Riders. They have played various live shows, such as Orlando Fringe Festival, Planned Parenthood’s Rock and Roe Concert, Delandapalooza, along with various political events. As part of its "Best Of" series, ''Orlando Weekly'' named Orange Creek Riders the “Best Congressional Folk Band”. He also hosts a radio show and podcast, "Rock and Politics", which combines current political issues with related music. On April 1, 2018, Soto's wife, Amanda Soto, was arrested at
Walt Disney World The Walt Disney World Resort, also called Walt Disney World or Disney World, is an entertainment resort complex in Bay Lake and Lake Buena Vista, Florida, United States, near the cities of Orlando and Kissimmee. Opened on October 1, 1971, th ...
and charged with disorderly intoxication. In a statement, Darren Soto said his wife had been in treatment for depression for years and had recently stopped taking medication in accordance with her treatment plan and under her doctor's supervision. He added that "she deeply regrets her actions and takes full responsibility for them."


See also

*
List of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress This is a list of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States Congress, Hispanic and Latino Americans who have served in the United States Congress. Persons included are identified as having a lineage from Spain or Latin America, a definiti ...


References


External links


Congressman Darren Soto
official U.S. House website
Campaign website
* *
Florida House of Representatives profile
{{DEFAULTSORT:Soto, Darren 1978 births 21st-century American politicians American politicians of Italian descent Puerto Rican people in Florida politics Democratic Party members of the United States House of Representatives from Florida Florida lawyers George Washington University Law School alumni Hispanic and Latino American members of the United States Congress Lakeland Regional High School alumni Living people Democratic Party members of the Florida House of Representatives People from Ringwood, New Jersey Rutgers University alumni Hispanic and Latino American state legislators in Florida