Soto, who left office last year after missing significant amounts of time in Sacramento due to illness, apparently died today. She was at least 82. A statement from Speaker Karen Bass:

Assembly Speaker Karen Bass made the following statement regarding the passing Thursday of former State Senator and Assemblymember Nell Soto:

“Assemblymember Nell Soto was a champion for the people of Pomona and her entire district, for the Inland Empire and, in fact, for all the people of California. She was a trailblazer the New York Times once noted “was at the forefront of virtually every Hispanic movement.” Assemblymember Soto will long be remembered for her fighting spirit and her efforts to protect California’s drinking water from toxic contamination. The Nell Soto Parent Teacher Involvement Program, which is an important tool for helping students succeed, will be another lasting part of Assemblymember Soto’s legacy. My colleagues in the California State Assembly all join me in offering our condolences to Nell Soto’s adored children and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We hope they can take comfort in the fact that she is once again with her Phillip.”

* Soto was 82: Story in the San Gabriel Valley Tribune.