Edgar Soto
Candidate for Arizona State Senate – District 17
Arizona · Legislative District 17
Edgar Soto won the primary and is the party's nominee for the general election. Ran unopposed in the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary. Faces Republican nominee Christopher King in the November 3, 2026 general election.
Source: kjzz.org · Last verified: October 23, 2026
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Statement
I'm Edgar Soto, a lifelong Tucsonan, Marine Corps veteran, educator, and community leader. I'm running for State Senate because I believe every Arizonan deserves the opportunity to reach their fullest potential. For over 30 years at Pima Community College, I've helped students—from first-generation college students to working parents build better lives through education. I've seen what works and what doesn't, and I'm ready to bring real solutions to the Capitol. My priorities are simple: lower the cost of living, strengthen public education, support our veterans, protect water resources, and ensure safe, thriving communities. Too many families, like my own 93-year-old mother, are being squeezed by rising property taxes, insurance, and everyday costs. I believe in bringing people together to get things done. Not left or right, but forward. That means listening, finding common ground, and delivering results that improve lives. Together, we can build an Arizona where opportunity, fairness, and community come first.
Biography
Edgar Soto is a fifth-generation Arizonan, Tucson native and Tucson High School graduate who served in the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve from 1994 to 2001. He has worked at Pima Community College for more than 30 years as a teacher, coach, athletics director, dean and campus vice president. He previously taught middle school and coached baseball, including as a USA Baseball coach. He holds bachelor's degrees from the University of New Mexico and the University of Arizona and a graduate degree from Northern Arizona University, and is a Flinn-Brown Civic Leadership Fellow and Aspen Rising Presidents Fellow. His campaign focuses on housing, healthcare and utility costs, public education and community colleges, and workforce training; VoteVets has endorsed him. Soto ran unopposed in the July 21, 2026 Democratic primary and faces Republican Christopher King in the November 3, 2026 general election for the open LD17 Senate seat.
Positions
Issue Stances
Water Policy
No official stance on record.
Education Funding
SupportsSupports strengthening public schools, supporting educators, and expanding opportunity for students.
Border Security & Immigration
No official stance on record.
Housing Affordability
SupportsFrames affordability as a priority and says he will work to lower everyday costs for working families.
Election Integrity
No official stance on record.
Healthcare Access
SupportsSays he will work to protect access to affordable healthcare as part of a cost-of-living agenda.
"protect access to affordable healthcare"
Public Safety & Criminal Justice
SupportsBiography foregrounds Marine Corps service and public service commitment.
Energy Policy
No official stance on record.
Economic Development & Jobs
SupportsCampaign language emphasizes lowering costs and helping working families get ahead.
Reproductive Rights
No official stance on record.
Transportation & Infrastructure
No official stance on record.
Government Spending & Taxation
SupportsSupports lowering everyday costs for families.
Legislature
Legislative Voting Record
No voting record on file.
Voting records are only available for candidates who have held legislative office.
Ballot
Ballot Measure Stances
No ballot measure stances on file yet.
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