Edgar Soto, Democratic candidate for the Arizona State Senate in Legislative District 17

Edgar Soto is a Marine Corps veteran, educator, and community leader running as a first-time candidate for the Arizona State Senate seat in District 17. This open seat is a flip opportunity that is critical to breaking the GOP’s hold on the State Senate.

A native Arizonan, his family has lived in Pima County for generations. As an educator, Edgar has worked at every level – from middle school social studies teacher to Campus Vice President at Pima Community College. Driven by his love of baseball, Edgar coached the Junior National team in 2002. He later worked with business leaders and politicians of both parties to help found the Southern Arizona Sports, Tourism, and Film Authority. Edgar plans to bring his unique background of military service, education, sports, and business to the State Senate to help build a government that works for everyday Arizonans.

WHY THIS RACE

The Arizona State Senate currently stands at 13 Democrats and 17 Republicans. In 2024, the seat was decided by only two points, with Democrats also picking up the House seat within the district. Electing Edgar and flipping this seat is essential to breaking the GOP’s hold on the Arizona Senate. A Democratic victory here would not only capitalize on an open-seat opportunity in a true battleground district that spans Tucson’s growing suburbs, but also provide a critical vote to protect public education funding, defend reproductive freedom, and advance pragmatic economic and water policies.