Sylvia Soto
Republican | Texas
Candidate Profile
Leans Conservative
BIOGRAPHY
Name
Sylvia Soto
Party
Republican
Election Year
2024
Election
General
Race
State Rep., Dist. 124
Incumbent
No
Links
EDUCATION
Texas A&M, San Antonio, Master of Science Bilingual, 2016
Wester Univerity, San Antonio, Master in Business Administration
Webster University, San Antonio, Master in Management
Webster University, San Antonio, Masters in Business
University of the Incarnate Word, San Antonio, Bachelor of Science in Biology
WORK & MILITARY
Candidate did not provide
AFFILIATIONS
St. Vincent de Paul, Volunteer, Lay Lector
Mission San Jose, Bexar County Election Judge, Election Judge
Precinct Chair, Precinct 1142, Guadalupana
Mission San Jose, Texas A&M Student Body, Vice President and Historian
Specialist Area Agency on Aging/Alamo Area Council of Governments Bexar Staff Ombudsman Alamo Area Council of Governments, Bexar Staff Ombudsman, Catholic Charties
volunteer, HWNT -Hispanic Womens Network of Texas, Board Historian
Kappa Delta Pi - Honor Society, President, Vice President Historians
POLITICAL OFFICES HELD
Precinct Chair 1142, 6
POLITICAL OFFICES SOUGHT
none
ENDORSEMENTS
REPORTED BY CANDIDATE (7)
Ken Mercer (Republican Party) was a member of the Texas State Board of Education, representing District 5
Republican Club of Bexar County
Heart of San Antonio Republicans
Teacher Groups
Military Groups
OTHER INFORMATION
QUESTIONNAIRE
RIGHT TO LIFE
Under what circumstances should an elective abortion be allowed?
It is important that women are offered options in family planning. My approach seeks to balance respect for life however understanding exceptions such as rape, incest and medical emergencies for elective abortion.
Chemical abortion drugs should meet essential safety standards (such as in-person consultation with a medical doctor) and require reporting to gather evidence on reactions and outcomes.
Strongly Agree
The mailing of reproductive medications should be prescribed and administered by a licensed physician to ensure the safety. Chemical abortion drugs are a serious matter and must be handled with the care to ensure the safety of the women. I believe that these drugs should be subject to high safety standards, including mandatory in-person consultations with a qualified medical doctor.
Abortion providers, including Planned Parenthood, should not receive taxpayer funds from federal, state, or local governments (including Title X grants).
Did not answer
I support 'aid in dying' laws which legalize assisted suicide and euthanasia.
Disagree
ECONOMY
Free enterprise and the right to private property are essential elements of a productive economic system.
Strongly Agree
As a conservative educator, I firmly believe that free enterprise and the right to private property are foundational to a productive economic system. Free enterprise fosters innovation, competition, and growth by allowing individuals to pursue their entrepreneurial ambitions. Additionally, the right to private property ensures that people can invest and manage their own assets which is vital for prosperity and maintaining personal economic growth.
What is your position on the minimum wage?
My position on the minimum wage is that we should ensure workers earn a fair and livable wage. We must also however consider the impact on businesses and advocate for businesses to offer competitive wages based on economic growth and competition.
Should environmental and social issues, like ESG (environmental, social, and governance) ratings, be used as criteria in deciding where to invest public monies?
Choose not to answer
We should focus on investments that deliver strong financial performance, support job creation and maximize value for taxpayers while taking ESG into consideration.
RELIGIOUS LIBERTY
Under what circumstances can government close churches?
The government intervention in closing churches should be extremely limited and only occur under extreme circumstances, such as serious public health crises to protect public safety. The government should also have measures to protect and ensure religious freedoms are respected if this occurs.
Individuals and businesses should be required to provide services even if it would violate their moral and/or religious beliefs.
Strongly Disagree
While we must strive for fairness and respect in serving others, compelling individuals or businesses to act against their beliefs undermines these essential freedoms.
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) Taxpayer funded health care should be abolished in all forms, and Medicaid and Medicare should be defunded.
B) Healthcare insurance funded by the government should be available for all who want it, along with private healthcare options.
Under what circumstances (if any) should a government, school, or employer be allowed to require vaccinations?
Limited emergency or safety
NATIONAL SECURITY
The Chinese Communist Party poses serious military, cyber security, intellectual property, and global economic threats to the United States.
Agree
Is the United States' relationship with Israel important, and if so why?
Supporting Israel aligns with conservative principles of fostering strong international alliances, promoting democratic values, and ensuring national security. Israel is our ally in the Middle East that provides valuable support that enhances regional stability and strengthens our national security.
IMMIGRATION
The U.S. should do more to physically secure the southern border.
Strongly Agree
EDUCATION
The state should fund education by allowing dollars to follow the child through programs which protect parents' freedom to choose their child's school – public, private, or homeschool.
Agree
Parents should have the freedom to choose the best educational setting for their child based on their individual needs and values.
VALUES
Children are the most vulnerable members of society and must be protected from abuse, including gender ideology, grooming, and bodily mutilation.
Agree
Parents should have the right to make decisions for their minor children.
Strongly Agree
Taxpayer funds should be used to provide gender transition services.
Did not 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.
Did not answer
Briefly describe your spiritual beliefs and values.
As a devout Catholic, my spiritual beliefs are grounded in the teachings of the Catholic Church and a commitment to living out Christ's message of love and service. My faith guides my actions, including my role as a lay lector, Guadalupana and St. Vincent de Paul volunteer where I contribute to the spiritual life of the community and have devoted years of community service. I strive to uphold values of charity, justice, and respect for all individuals, reflecting my dedication to both spiritual and daily actions based on my Christian values and beliefs.
ELECTIONS AND VOTING
People should be able to vote without photo identification.
Disagree
States should join the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact which makes the Electoral College irrelevant.
Strongly Disagree
EQUALITY
Is racism a threat to domestic security in the United States? Why or why not?
Did not answer
I agree with Critical Race Theory (CRT) which asserts that the institutions in the United States are fundamentally racist.
Disagree
Biological males should not be allowed to participate in women's sports or occupy biological women's spaces whether it be bathrooms, locker rooms, sorority houses, women's shelters, or prison.
Choose not to answer
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT
Which comes closest to your view? (Select all that apply) A) Stricter environmental laws and regulations cost too many jobs and hurt the economy. B) Stricter environmental laws and regulations are worth the cost. C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources. D) Climate change is real and requires urgent policy action.
C) Stricter environmental laws undermine U.S. energy independence and deter development of reliable electricity sources.
What do you believe is the most reliable energy source that will supply the growing demand for electricity?
Natural gas is a stable and efficient power supply and it also helps reduce carbon emissions compared to coal. Additionally, investing in energy infrastructure, including modernizing the grid and exploring advancements in technology, is crucial.
ABOUT YOU
Have you ever been penalized for sexual misconduct in either civil or criminal court? If so, please explain.
No
Have you ever been convicted of a felony? If so, please explain.
No
What do you think is the general purpose of government?
I believe the general purpose of government is to protect individual freedoms and uphold the rule of law while maintaining a limited role in people’s daily lives. Government should provide essential services, ensure national security, and safeguard property rights. It should also support individual initiatives that foster economic growth, and respect its citizens.
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?
Lean Conservative
CRIMINAL JUSTICE & PUBLIC SAFETY
I support redirecting funds from police departments to community programs.
Disagree
2ND AMENDMENT
What restrictions on gun ownership are needed to protect public safety?
Background Checks: Implementing thorough background checks to prevent individuals with criminal records or severe mental health issues from obtaining firearms. Mental Health Evaluations: Ensuring that mental health evaluations are part of the process for gun ownership. Training Requirements: Requiring safety training and education for gun owners to promote responsible handling and storage.
Should teachers be allowed to carry guns at school?
Yes
