First years in politics In 1997, Soto started working as a special assistant to the then Representative for the 38th District of
Trujillo Alto,
Carolina, and
Canóvanas. She also worked as an adviser for the Commission of Consumer Affairs of the
House of Representatives. In 2001, she worked with the mayors of
Fajardo and
Río Grande,
Aníbal Meléndez Rivera and Emilio Rosa Pacheco, as a public relations adviser. During this year, she was also in charge of the implementation of the Business Development Center from
Loíza, an institution that helps the residents of that municipality with employment opportunities. That year, she also started working in the Health Department of
San Juan, where she was in charge of the recruiting of municipalities for the creation and implementation of several health programs.
Senator: 2004–2012 Soto was elected as a Senator for the
District of Carolina at the
2004 general elections. She was sworn in on January 10, 2005. Soto was re-elected in
2008. During her time in the Senate, Soto has presided the Banking, Consumer Affairs, Public Corporations and Insurance Committees in the senate. In 2012, Soto lost her bid for reelection.
Mayor of Canóvanas (2014–present) Lornna Soto was sworn in as mayor of
Canóvanas on July 1, 2014. She succeeded her father,
José "Chemo" Soto, who had retired earlier that year. On June 5, 2016, she was nominated as the New Progressive Party's mayoral candidate for a full term, obtaining 54% of the vote in a five-way race.
Democratic Party A Democrat, Lornna Soto has attended three Democratic National Conventions, including Denver in 2008, Charlotte in 2012 and Philadelphia in 2016, where she was a delegate representing the Carolina Senatorial District. On April 8, 2016, she was the only woman to file as a candidate for Vice Chair of the Puerto Rico Democratic Party and, along with Democratic activist
Francisco Domenech and Democratic National Committeeman
Kenneth McClintock has filed a credentials challenge to be recognized as the incumbent Vice Chair. The challenge is pending resolution before the
Democratic National Committee and its Credentials Committee. ==Personal life==