Juan Santana, a Hialeah nonprofit leader, is running for Florida lieutenant governor in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He is the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto.

He lives in Hialeah.

Santana filed as a lieutenant governor candidate on Aug. 27, 2026, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Asked in our candidate questionnaire why he is running, Santana said, "I am running for Lieutenant Governor because I believe Florida needs leaders who are willing to listen to the people, bring communities together, and make government more accountable and responsive."

He added: "I am not running simply to hold a title. I am running because I believe public office should be about service, responsibility, and results."

Candidate information

Birthplace: Miami, Florida, according to Ballotpedia.

Residence: Hialeah, Florida.

Party: Asked about his party affiliation in our questionnaire, Santana said, "Republican." BallotReady election data lists him in the race under No Party Preference.

Education: Asked about his education in our questionnaire, Santana said, "FIU/Miami Dade political science construction management." Ballotpedia lists a high school diploma from Miami Coral Park Senior High and a bachelor's degree from Florida International University in 2006.

Family: Asked about his family in our questionnaire, Santana said, "I am married to a beautiful woman named Jessica Santana. I have a step child named Raudi Candame and I'm also a caregiver of my best friend."

Family in politics or government: Asked whether anyone in his family works in politics or government, Santana said, "No."

Experience and public service

Santana serves as vice president of Positive Hits Community Service Group South, according to Florida Politics. He described the organization in our questionnaire as "a nonprofit organization focused on serving underprivileged families and providing community assistance." He said he also sits on the community advocacy board of Miami-Dade County.

He has worked in property management and as a nonprofit executive, according to Ballotpedia.

Santana has run for office in Hialeah several times. He ran for mayor in 2013, 2017 and 2021, and sought a Hialeah City Council interim seat in 2022 and 2024, according to Ballotpedia and the Miami Herald. He was also a candidate for Hialeah City Council Group IV in 2025.

Asked in our questionnaire about his work history, Santana said, "I have worked directly with individuals and families throughout South Florida, helping connect people with community resources, social services, employment opportunities, and other assistance needed to improve their quality of life." He added that his experience "also includes helping people with disabilities pursue employment and become more independent."

On the issues

What sets him apart: Asked about the critical differences between himself and other candidates, Santana said in our questionnaire, "Most candidates in this race have spent their careers in politics. I've spent mine in the community and in business. I run Positive Hits Community Service Group, where I've seen firsthand what Florida families actually struggle with — because I've been in the rooms with them, delivering help, not just talking about it."

Accomplishments: Asked what past accomplishments show he can handle the job, Santana said in our questionnaire, "… I founded and run Positive Hits Community Service Group … I wrote the budget, managed the board, dealt with state compliance, and delivered results with limited resources — that's exactly what governing is."

Housing: Santana has said he is running to stop "rising property taxes, gentrification and displacement" of residents, according to Florida Politics.

Best advice: Asked about the best advice he has received, Santana cited Mark 10:45: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve."

Other candidates in the lieutenant governor race include Benjiman Rojas, Bryan Avila, Gwen Graham, Joe Van Vactor, Nicole Skelly, Rachel Rodriguez and Ruben A. Coto, according to BallotReady.