Darren Soto reports $732K in new funding, more than last quarter but less than other embattled Dems

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto raised more than $732,000 in the second quarter of 2026. That marks a significant acceleration from prior quarters, allowing the Kissimmee Democrat to start July with nearly $1.3 million in cash on hand.

But his opponents quickly noted he raised less than other embattled Democratic incumbents in the Sunshine State. And while he has been added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Frontline program defending Democrat-held seats, Soto received few financial transfers from party leadership.

Over the course of the campaign cycle, Soto through the end of June had raised almost $1.99 million.

Over the course of the last three months, he saw $310,000 from individual donors and nearly $418,000 from PACs. But he also saw less than $1,500 come in from political party committees.

His contributions include $2,000 from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, and he collected as much from U.S. Rep. Jamie Raskin, ranking Democrat on the House Oversight Committee.

The step up in collections was likely a sign donors are taking seriously the threat posed to Soto by Florida’s new congressional map, which left the five-term incumbent running in a new configuration of Florida’s 9th Congressional District where more than 59% of voters supported Republican Donald Trump in the last presidential election. Soto last won re-election in a version of CD 9 where more than 50% voted for Democrat Kamala Harris.

But despite his move to frontline status, Soto raised significantly less than other targeted Democrats. U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Parkland Democrat, pulled in about $925,000 in the same period of time, and U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, a Tampa Democrat, raised $1 million.

It was more than some incumbent Republicans; U.S Rep. Cory Mills collected under $60,000 in the quarter.

But the National Republican Congressional Committee said Soto’s fundraising shows Democrats have written him off as a lost cause after redistricting put him in dangerous territory to defend a liberal voting record.

“The writing is on the wall: Radical Democrat Darren Soto has no base of support except extreme leftists whose agenda Floridians strongly oppose. Soto has no chance of holding his seat in November,” said NRCC Spokeswoman Maureen O’Toole.

About 36% of contributions to Soto came from sources in Florida. But Republicans pointed to outside money including $7,000 from liberal donors including Jennifer and Jonathan Soros, who work with the Soros Foundation launched by liberal billionaire George Soros. Other donors included the Human Rights Campaign, which gave $4,500, and Planned parenthood, which gave $5,000. The National Education Association, America’s most prominent teachers’ union, gave $2,000.