ORLANDO, Fla. – The midterm elections are days away, and the race for Florida’s 9th Congressional District has been one of the most closely watched in the state.
All week, News 6 has sat down with both candidates running to represent the newly redrawn district, stretching from Orlando down to Lake Okeechobee. On Wednesday, incumbent Democrat Darren Soto and Republican military veteran Dan Green weighed in on affordability. Thursday, they tackled the national deficit. Friday, each man made his closing argument — and explained why he deserves your vote.
Soto: A record of delivering for Central Florida
Soto pointed to years of secured federal funding as proof he gets results for the district.
“I have a record of delivering billions of dollars for Central Florida, and I live right here in Central Florida,” Soto said.
He cited several specific projects he said he helped bring to the region, including the I-4 expansion.
“We helped bring back the $3.4 billion I-4 project that’s under expansion,” Soto said. “We helped bring over half a billion dollars to Orlando International Airport to help build and expand Terminal C.”
He also pointed to the growth of the Lake Nona area as evidence of the district’s transformation during his tenure.
“When I started, Lake Nona was cow pastures,” Soto said. “Now it is a medical juggernaut.”
Green: Time for new leadership
Green pushed back on the idea that a lack of political experience disqualifies him, pointing to his academic background and work in Florida politics.
“I have a PhD in American politics from George Washington University, and I have worked on many different campaigns helping other public officials run,” Green said. “I ran the veterans coalition for Governor DeSantis in his reelection.”
Green also argued that Soto’s decade in office has come at a cost to the district.
“My opponent has been in office now for 10 years,” Green said. “I think in a lot of ways, he’s taken the district for granted, and I don’t think his values are aligned.”
Your vote, your choice
Election Day is this Tuesday.
Watch both candidates’ full interviews now at ClickOrlando.com.
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