Biography
Estrella Martínez Soto, born on August 8, 1979, in Juana Díaz, is a public servant with more than 20 years of experience in community service. A native of Juana Díaz with previous residences in Salinas and Santa Isabel, she has experienced firsthand the needs of the four municipalities she represents: Aibonito, Coamo, Juana Díaz, and Santa Isabel.
Married to educator Pedro J. Ortiz Rivera and mother to Fabiola and Camille, Estrella is a clear example of commitment and resilience, also evidenced by her personal experience as a cancer survivor, which has reinforced her vocation to serve and defend vulnerable communities.
A graduate of Luis Llorens Torres High School in Juana Díaz, she earned her Bachelor of Arts and Humanities degree in Public Administration from the Pontifical Catholic University of Ponce in 2001. She subsequently completed a Master of Public Administration degree with a concentration in Government Program Management from the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus. She is currently completing her second Master of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Management from PUCPR, in addition to earning a certification as a Conflict Mediator.
Before entering legislative politics, Estrella held various positions in public service. She began as a student intern in the Department of Consumer Affairs, worked in the Office of Special Communities, served as a Regional Supervisor, and later held positions of increasing responsibility in community development. During the Salinas municipal administration, she was appointed Director of Human Resources, leading the municipality’s organizational restructuring.
From 2014 to 2016, she supported legislative work as a director in the offices of prominent representatives, and from 2017 to 2020, she led PR Integral Consulting LLC, offering administrative consulting and training services.
In November 2020, after one of the most atypical electoral campaigns in recent political history, she was elected Representative for District 27 and took office in January 2021. In January 2025, she was sworn in for her second term.
Legislative Management
During her first four-year term in the Puerto Rico Legislature, Representative Martínez Soto has demonstrated a firm commitment to:
- Consumer protection.
- Strengthening the rights of caregivers, older adults, and women.
- Oversight to ensure essential services to vulnerable populations.
In addition to these initiatives, she has promoted other projects and actively participated in debates and committees, reaffirming her role as a watchdog and promoter of community organizing, especially in south-central Puerto Rico.
Commitment and Vision
Estrella Martínez Soto enters the legislature with the firm conviction of sowing hope and generating positive changes for her constituents. Her experience in public service, combined with her track record in human resources management and her personal struggle, position her as a tireless advocate for:
- The rights of special communities.
- Women’s struggles.
- Transparency in public administration.
Her legislative work is geared toward building a future in which the care, protection, and well-being of all citizens are fundamental priorities.