Luis Soto
Republican | New Jersey
Candidate Profile
Moderate
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Luis Soto
Party
Republican
Election Year
2023
Election
General
Race
State Senate Dist. 31
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Catholic University of Puerto Rico, Ponce, Bachelors, 1982
WORK & MILITARY
Army 82nd Airborne Division, E-4, 4
AFFILIATIONS
Saint Lucy's Church Newark New Jersey, Eucharist Minister
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Candidate did not provide
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
Board of Education Newark New Jersey, 1995
Race
ENDORSEMENTS
CONSERVATIVE (1)
NJ Public Health Innovation PAC
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (1)
Health Professionals And Allied Employees HPAE
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should abortion be allowed?
In cases where the the life of the mother is in extreme danger/ vice verse. I am Pro-Life there are however extreme circumstances to be considered. Pro choice for the baby.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Neutral
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
ECONOMY
What changes, if any, should be made to the tax code?
2023 tax system should equalize rates between ordinary income and capital gains at a much lower rate.
What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?
Aid to third world countries { being conservative }.
Taxpayer-funded public education should be guaranteed through college.
Agree
Many of our students do not have means of financially attending colleges, in many cases due to their parents income.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Neutral
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
I believe government should not be able to close a church, unless such organization has committed extreme incidents which would affect the community it serves.
HEALTHCARE
What most closely matches your view on healthcare: A) Healthcare for all should be guaranteed and funded by the government with no private healthcare option. (includes "universal healthcare," "medicare for all," etc.) B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options. C) Medicaid and Medicare should remain available, but no other taxpayer-funded programs are necessary. D)Tax-payer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be de-funded.
I totally agree it should all be funded, there is no need for our citizens to be on a position of selecting which healthcare plan best suits their needs. Today with all of the health insurance companies offering additional benefits etc etc, it makes it frustrating for us to determine what will work for me best.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
When it is believed that in not doing so will create a health hazard to the community, employer and or school.
NATIONAL SECURITY
What should the United States do to help eradicate the threat of Islamic terrorism?
I continue to support the military intervention, coming from a military background.
I support the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement to pressure Israel to withdraw from occupied territories, remove the separation barrier in the West Bank, allow full equality for Arab-Palestinian citizens of Israel, and promote the rights of Palestinian refugees.
Strongly Agree
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
If you want to relocate to our country their are legal ways of doing so, not breaking the laws. If you abide by such legal process you will eventually gain all the benefits that our great nation has to offer for a better quality of life, however not by just showing up and demanding rights and privileges are then paid by our citizens tax dollars. All are welcome but through a legal process. Also a more transparent relationship with other countries when it comes to the southern border.
Who should be allowed to immigrate to the U.S. and under what circumstances?
Those that are willing to abide by our laws and processes'.
EDUCATION
I support school choice, including voucher programs, tax credits, charter schools, private schools, and home schools.
Strongly Agree
VALUES
Judeo-Christian values established a framework of morality which is necessary for our system of limited government.
Choose not to answer
I support adding gender identity as a specially protected class in non-discrimination laws.
Choose not to answer
Marriage is a God-ordained, sacred and legal union of one man and one woman. No government has the authority to alter this definition.
Neutral
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Strongly Agree
CRT race theory is an academic concept that is more than 40 years old. The core idea is that race is a social construct, and that racism is not merely the product of individual bias or prejudice, but also something embedded in legal systems and policies.
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
My spiritual beliefs include the relationship to a superior being, and are related to an existential perspective on life, and the nature of reality. My spiritual beliefs stem from my life's experiences, spiritual learnings, and culture.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Agree
If needed it should be an option not a mandate .
What laws would you propose to change present voting practices?
I am in agreement of how we handle our current voting practices. My only concerns are the mailing ballots.
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Yes, our country has experienced a high level of violence in recent years, much due by the extremist groups that support white supremacist beliefs. additionally two-thirds of domestic terror attacks were committed by white supremacist and other right wing extremist. How ever their are signs of hope as public awareness around racism rises and it is recognized that limiting discrimination is best for everyone.
Reparations should be given to people on the basis of race.
Strongly Disagree
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost.
Stricter environmental laws and regulations are certainly worth the cost, { long term }.
I support the use of hydraulic fracking to extract oil and natural gas resources.
Strongly Agree
ABOUT YOU
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
The purpose of government is the freedom, rights, laws, order and any other matters concerning how the government is run is all aimed to conceive its main objective which is the "Well being of our Society"
When you consider your views on a wide range of issues from economic and social matters to foreign policy and religious liberty, which of the following best describes you overall?
Choose not to answer
Please provide publicly available information, including interviews and media reports, validating your answer to the previous question (other than your website).
My views are solely on my religious and or political views on such determined matters at the time.
Have you ever been convicted of a felony or been penalized in either civil or criminal court for sexual misconduct? If so, please explain.
No
What else would you like voters to know about you, including your legislative priorities?
I offer my constituents a new perspective in my role as a District Senator, l am not the " Next Politician" seeking office l am not the politician that will be known to be out and about during voting season only. l am and l bring the Integrity, Dedication, Transparency, Honesty and most importantly the loyalty to them whom believe in me and my mission. For over thirty five years l worked very hard within the medical/pharmaceutical industry to establish my credentials, that of those beimg recognized as a team leader, a mentor, coach one that went beyond the call of duty to get the job done. I worked within a non profit organization in Newark New Jersey as a case manger working my way up the ranks to become the MIS Coordinator within their Refugee and Resettlement programs, assisting refugees entering our country via legal terms. I was born and raised in our neighboring Brooklyn New York one of five siblings my parents and grandparents worked hard very hard to provide us with was the very best they were able to offer at the time, l was fortunate to have had them in my life, today those values and respect towards others have provided me with the greatest gift a man can have and that is being able to extend my arm to that needy person, that is what Luis Soto your next senator has to offer you today my dear friends....
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
Police officers should be personally immune from prosecution for conduct consistent with departmental policy (qualified immunity) while on duty.
Agree
I support redirecting funds from police departments to mental health and community programs.
Strongly Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Stricter storage of firearms, carry a fire arm and the proper use of a firearm. { proper firearm mandatory trainings either it be required by the state or by law enforcement organization}. I believe on the 2nd Amendment Rights
Victims of gun violence should be able to sue firearms dealers and manufacturers.
Neutral
