Democrats of Greater Tucson (TheDGT.org), the largest Democratic club in Pima County and a state‑registered political action committee, today announced its endorsement of Edgar Soto for Arizona Senate and Kevin Volk and Holly Lyon for Arizona House in Legislative District 17 – a key battleground district that will help decide control of the Arizona Legislature in 2026.
Edgar Soto for State Senate: Marine, Educator, Community Anchor
DGT endorses Edgar Soto for the Arizona State Senate in LD17. A proud U.S. Marine Corps veteran, lifelong educator, and community leader, Soto has spent more than three decades serving students and families in Southern Arizona, including as a Pima Community College executive, coach, and dean.
See Edgar Soto for Arizona State Senate
Soto’s deep roots in Pima County – where his family has lived for generations – shape his commitment to public education, economic opportunity, and safe, thriving neighborhoods. “I’ve spent my life serving at every level — in the classroom, on the field, and in leadership roles that support students and families,” he said.
As a Senate candidate, Soto is running to:
- Strengthen and fully fund public schools and community colleges,
- Lower costs for working families, and
- Build a state government that works for everyday Arizonans, not special interests.
Soto’s candidacy gives Democrats a prime opportunity to flip this Senate seat and move closer to a Democratic majority.
Kevin Volk for State House: Housing Problem‑Solver and Proven Vote‑Getter
DGT enthusiastically endorses Rep. Kevin Volk for re‑election to the Arizona House in LD17. Volk is a small business owner, former teacher, and co‑founder of an affordable and sustainable housing company, bringing real‑world expertise to one of Arizona’s most pressing crises: housing affordability.
Volk has dedicated his career to solving complex challenges, such as the high cost of housing, using his background in education, real estate, and community development to craft practical solutions. His legislative priorities include:
- Bringing living costs down in housing, energy, and food,
- Investing in education across public, community, and charter schools, and
- Protecting democracy in a narrowly divided Legislature.
LD17 has already proven it can swing: Democrats closed a nearly 10‑point GOP advantage to under 2 points in 2022, and Volk emerged as the key Democratic standard‑bearer in subsequent races. With Volk in the House and strong partners on the ticket, LD17 can become a majority‑making district that helps secure a Democratic trifecta in Arizona.
Holly Lyon for State House: Colonel, Educator, Common‑Sense Leader
DGT is equally proud to endorse Holly Lyon for the second LD17 House seat. Lyon is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel, former 7th‑grade math teacher, and seasoned leader who spent 26 years in uniform, commanding twice, teaching future military leaders, and overseeing education, training, and strategic planning for tens of thousands of service members.
See Holly Lyon | Arizona State House Candidate
After retiring from the Air Force, Lyon continued her work solving complex problems and delivering results. She is now running for the State House to put service, accountability, and common‑sense leadership back at the center of state government. Her core priorities include:
- Accountability: Holding officials to high ethical standards, ensuring transparent and responsible use of taxpayer dollars, and restoring public trust through integrity and results.
- Affordability: Tackling rising costs so families don’t have to choose between groceries, healthcare, rent, and utilities.
- Practical problem‑solving: Listening to constituents, working across differences, and focusing on real‑world solutions that keep LD17 families secure and thriving.
Lyon’s mix of classroom experience, military leadership, and community engagement makes her uniquely qualified to serve a diverse district that includes Tucson, Oro Valley, Marana, SaddleBrooke, and Vail.
A Unified LD17 Team to Flip the Legislature
Together, Edgar Soto, Kevin Volk, and Holly Lyon form a powerhouse LD17 slate focused on flipping this critical district, defending public education, and ending MAGA extremism at the Capitol.
DGT has seen these candidates up close – at club programs, community events, and district organizing meetings – and is confident they have the experience, integrity, and grassroots support needed to win. See Three Dynamite Democrats Launch Aggressive Bid to Flip Legislative District 17.
Democrats need just a handful of seats to flip both chambers and establish a new Democratic trifecta in Arizona. LD17 is one of the districts that will decide whether that happens.
DGT urges voters, volunteers, and donors across Pima County and beyond to rally behind Edgar Soto, Kevin Volk, and Holly Lyon to make LD17 the district that helps turn Arizona blue from top to bottom.
About Democrats of Greater Tucson
Democrats of Greater Tucson is the largest Democratic club in Pima County, with more than 200 members and decades of experience recruiting, vetting, and supporting Democratic candidates at every level of government.
As a state‑registered PAC, DGT uses its unique grassroots insight and strategic expertise to direct contributions and endorsements where they will have the greatest impact on building durable Democratic power in Arizona.
For more information, to become a member, or to support DGT’s work, visit TheDGT.org.
Media Contact: Larry Bodine, Secretary, (520) 400-0420, Larry@LarryBodine.com.
Democrats of Greater Tucson
TheDGT.org
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