Chris Soto
Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives
from the 39th district
In office
January 2017 – January 2019
Preceded byErnest Hewett
Succeeded byAnthony Nolan
Personal details
BornNew York, New York
Political partyDemocratic
EducationUnited States Coast Guard Academy (BS)
Brown University (MPA)
Military service
Branch/serviceCoast Guard
Years of service2003–2008 (active), 2008-2013 (reserve)
Rank Lieutenant Commander

Chris Soto is an American politician and former member of the Connecticut House of Representatives, serving from 2017 to 2019. He was first elected to the legislature in 2016, representing the 39th district of New London.[1] Chris Soto currently serves as a Senior Advisor to U.S. Secretary of Education, Miguel Cardona.

Early life and education

Soto was born in Manhattan, New York City and raised in West New York, New Jersey.[2] After graduating from High School, he received an appointment to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Academy,[3] He graduated and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Operations Research.[4] Soto also earned his Master's in Public Affairs (MPA) from Brown University.[3]

Military service

Following graduation from the Coast Guard Academy, Soto served as an Engineer Officer in Training on the USCGC Valiant (WMEC-621).[4] Immediately following, he received orders to Maritime Safety and Security Team New York. He left active duty service in 2008 and continued in the active reserve until 2013.[4] He separated from the reserves at the rank of Lieutenant Commander.

Political career

Soto was elected to the Connecticut House of Representatives in 2016. He defeated long-time incumbent Ernest Hewett by a near 2-to-1 ratio.[5] He went on to win the general election with 83% of the vote.[6] Soto went unchallenged in the 2018 general election.[7] Soto served in the state house for two years from 2017–2019. During his time in the house, Soto served as vice-chairman of the Appropriations Committee and member of the Housing, and Higher Education & Employment Advancement committees.[8]

While serving in the state House, Soto worked successfully to expand in-state tuition aid to undocumented students,[9] helped draft and pass legislation to regulate Sober Homes,[10] and successfully championed the renovation New London's Bartlett Park.[11] Soto also worked with Southeastern Connecticut legislators and the Governor's Office to successfully fund infrastructure improvements at New London's State Pier and is also credited for proactively helping to increase Latino voter turnout in the city of New London.[12][13][14]

Soto left his role in the Connecticut House to join Governor Ned Lamont's administration as Director of Legislative Affairs in 2019. In early 2020, Soto joined the Connecticut's State Department of Education as Director of Innovation and Partnerships to then Connecticut State Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona.[15] In December 2021, President Biden announced the nomination of Miguel Cardona as U.S. Secretary of Education. [16] Soon after, Soto joined the U.S. Department of Education as a Senior Advisor to Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.[17][18][19][20]

Coast Guard Academy criticism

Soto has been vocal about the lack of accountability at the Coast Guard Academy with respect to issues of racism and discrimination. He was the first to call for an investigation by federal officials after cadets complained of systemic discrimination at the institution.[21] He previously criticized the institution on the lack of recruiting diversity in their incoming classes.[22]

Other work

Soto is the founder and first executive director of Higher Edge, a college completion organization in Eastern Connecticut that supports high school students getting to and through college.[23][24]

References

  1. ↑ "Chris Soto". Ballot Pedia.
  2. ↑ "Brown University Taubman Center for Public Policy Annual Report, 2011-2012" (PDF). 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on February 23, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Bergman, Julia (September 20, 2015). "Coast Guard profile series: Chris Soto". The Day. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  4. 1 2 3 "40 under Forty: Chris Soto, 31". The Day. January 18, 2013. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  5. ↑ Smith, Greg (August 9, 2016). "Soto defeats Hewett by wide margin in New London". The Day Newspaper. Archived from the original on August 11, 2016.
  6. ↑ Smith, Greg (November 8, 2016). "Democrat Soto defeats two challengers for seat in 39th House District". The Day Newspaper. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016.
  7. ↑ Smith, Greg (November 6, 2018). "Soto was unchallenged in 39th House District". The Day Newspaper. Archived from the original on November 7, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Chris Soto".
  9. ↑ Benson, Judy (January 26, 2017). "Bill would open college aid to undocumented students". The Day Newspaper. Archived from the original on January 27, 2017.
  10. ↑ Boyle, Lindsay (May 8, 2018). "Sober home bill passes House, heads to Senate". The Day Newspaper. Archived from the original on May 9, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Work to start at New London's Bartlett Park next week". The Day Newspaper. March 25, 2019. Archived from the original on March 26, 2019.
  12. ↑ Smith, Greg (June 1, 2018). "New London benefits from state funding for three projects". The Day Newspaper. Archived from the original on July 11, 2018.
  13. ↑ Radelat, Ana (November 23, 2018). "CT Latinos voter turnout signals new political engagement". CT Post. Archived from the original on November 23, 2018.
  14. ↑ Smith, Greg (October 22, 2018). "Unopposed, state Rep. Chris Soto wants voters to stay energized". The Day. Archived from the original on October 23, 2018.
  15. ↑ "Education Commissioner Miguel Cardona Announces Chris Soto Will Join the Agency".
  16. ↑ "Biden announces Miguel Cardona as education secretary nominee". CBS News.
  17. ↑ "U.S. Department of Education Announces More Biden-Harris Appointees | U.S. Department of Education".
  18. ↑ Green, Rick (March 13, 2019). "Who's who in the administration of Gov. Ned. Lamont". Hartford Courant. Archived from the original on July 7, 2021.
  19. ↑ Stuart, Christine (December 19, 2018). "Lamont Picks A New London Lawmaker To Serve His Administration". CT News Junkie. Archived from the original on December 20, 2018.
  20. ↑ Pazniokas, Mark (December 19, 2018). "Lamont makes first hire from General Assembly". CT Mirror. Archived from the original on December 19, 2018.
  21. ↑ Smith, Greg (September 6, 2017). "Rep. Soto calls for investigation of CGA discrimination claims". The Day Newspaper. Archived from the original on September 6, 2017.
  22. ↑ Soto, Chris (June 9, 2017). "U.S. Coast Guard Academy blindingly white". Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 30, 2021.
  23. ↑ Young, Colin A. (December 5, 2013). "Higher Edge seeks to get New London students to college and graduate". The Day Newspaper. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020.
  24. ↑ Young, Colin A. (January 31, 2014). "Courtney to future college students: Make smart choices". The Day Newspaper. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020.
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