NRCC slams Darren Soto for claiming credit on local spending he voted against

U.S. Rep. Darren Soto touted millions in federal funding for projects in his district. But political critics are slamming him for boasting about spending he voted against.

The Kissimmee Democrat in an official newsletter highlighted for constituents some $13.4 million in federal community project funding secured for Florida’s 9th Congressional District in the 2026 budget.

“Our 14 locally requested projects will support jobs, senior housing, flood control, pedestrian safety, traffic reduction, education, and public safety,” he wrote.

But the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) noted that the vast majority of that funding, more than $10 million, came from budget silos he voted against in the House. Soto was among 193 Democrats to vote against a final budget.

“Out of touch Darren Soto can lie about his record all he wants, the truth is, Central Floridians don’t want him, and they’ll kick him to the curb in November,” said NRCC spokesperson Maureen O’Toole.

Soto is one of two Florida Democrats currently targeted by the NRCC in the upcoming Midterms, and his status may become more dire after the Florida Legislature redraws the congressional map next week.

The NRCC spotlighted 11 earmarks Soto touted, including $850,000 for the Poinciana Children and Pedestrian Safety Project; $250,000 for the Poinciana Village Water Main Replacement Project; $500,000 for the Valencia College Outdoor Learning Project; $850,000 for the Oakwood Senior Housing Project; $1.2 million for the Columbia Ave Complete Street Improvements and Revitalization; $2 million for the Buenaventura Lakes Stormwater Project; $850,000 for the Edgewood Pedestrian and ADA Safety Sidewalk Project; $850,000 for the Belle Isle Floodwater Mitigation Project; $2 million for the Narcoossee Road and Vista Lakes Stormwater Improvement Project; $850,000 for the Orange County GreenPLACE Environmentally Sensitive Lands Acquisition Project; and $250,000 for the LYNX Digital Signage Project.

Soto’s Office, for its part, said all those projects were funded because the Kissimmee Democrat filed community project requests, regardless of his vote on the final budget.

“These local projects were included in the budget SOLELY by Rep. Soto’s request. They are the product of months of hard work with local stakeholders,” said Soto spokesperson Belén Sassone.

“Rep. Soto voted for the initial bipartisan budget, which included these projects. He voted against the returning partisan budget because it also included ICE funding. He and his constituents are deeply opposed to this funding due to ICE’s killing of American citizens, corruption, and numerous civil rights violations. This vote did not affect the passage of these projects.”

The Office also noted that Republican lawmakers for years boasted about local spending included in an infrastructure package signed by Democratic President Joe Biden when Democrats controlled Congress.

Indeed, Democrats slammed such bragging as “shameful” at the time.