New London — Chris Soto burst onto the political scene in 2016 to defeat the endorsed Democratic candidate in what was supposed to be a hotly contested primary, winning by a nearly a 2-1 ratio and later sailing to victory over two challengers in the general election.

There are no obstacles in Soto’s path to the 39th District House seat this year. The 37-year-old is running unopposed in the district that covers most of New London. New London Republicans had reserved a spot on the ballot but were not able to secure a serious candidate.

Soto said he looks forward to representing the city for a second term but also wants the voters to stay energized.

“Whether I have an opponent or not, I’m trying to create a culture within the city where people value their vote,” Soto said.

In Hartford, Soto expects to continue the battle for state financial stability while attempting to shift some of Hartford’s focus to New London.

“My goal is to put New London on the map,” Soto said. “We needed to get our voice back up there and the first step is … pushing the idea that New London is a unique city.”

With its magnet school district and high percentage of non-taxable properties, the city is vulnerable to the ebb and flow of state funding, Soto said. He said he plans to press for policy changes to provide better “municipal equity,” an idea to shift funding formulas to benefit the towns and cities that most need it.

He said he hopes to attract more support for the idea that “strong vibrant cities,” play a major role in the state’s economic health. Places like New London with potential to attract a young and talented workforce will help inspire larger companies like GE to take a second look before leaving the state.

Soto said he has spent time ensuring the needed help is out there for New Londoners seeking work, and area jobs are on the top of his priority list. He sees the state’s investment in both Electric Boat and the State Pier as potential financial boosts to the city.

Soto will back a plan for tolls on the state’s highways to boost revenues but is also not opposed to further state spending reductions or looking at reopening state employee contracts, “both sides have to be willing to do that.”

“I don’t disagree there is more money to be found in savings,” Soto said. “Public policy is about compromise.”

Soto also said he would back a plan to legalize marijuana but sees it less as a revenue issue as much as a criminal justice issue. He said there are many people in the state with criminal records because of low-level drug offenses that create an obstacle on job applications.

He said if it does become legal, “we’re going to do right by those families that have been impacted.”

Soto is a U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduate who spent five years on active duty and later returned to New London to become the assistant director of diversity at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. After earning a master's degree at Brown University, Soto founded the nonprofit Higher Edge in 2011, an organization that guides low-income and first-generation college-bound students into and through college.

Soto stepped down as the organization’s executive director earlier this year to focus on legislative duties. Soto has been spending time in Hartford working on legislation and gathering support for issues that include incentives for micro-businesses and the strengthening of sober house legislation.

During the last session, he served as the vice chairman of the Appropriations Committee and was a member of the Housing Committee and Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee.

Soto said he is proud of his accomplishments as a freshman representative, especially his work in pushing for changes in the Educational Cost Sharing formula that better help to account for English Language Learners and in standardizing racial makeup requirements that determine magnet school funding.

g.smith@theday.com