Juan Santana, a Hialeah nonprofit leader and community organizer, 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, a No Party Affiliation candidate, according to the Florida Division of Elections.

Asked why he is running, Santana said in our candidate questionnaire: "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. … My decision comes from years of community service and working directly with families, working people, seniors, people with disabilities, small businesses, and communities that often feel that their voices are not being heard."

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

Other candidates in the lieutenant governor race include Benjiman Rojas (No Party Preference), Bryan Avila (Republican), Gwen Graham (Democratic), Joe Van Vactor (No Party Preference), Nicole Skelly (Libertarian), Rachel Rodriguez (No Party Preference) and Ruben A. Coto (No Party Preference), according to BallotReady election data.

Candidate information

Birthplace: Miami, Florida, according to Ballotpedia.

Residence: Hialeah, FL.

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: Santana said in our questionnaire: "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."

Party affiliation: Santana said "Republican" in our questionnaire, and the Division of Elections lists his registration as Republican. The ticket with Datto is listed under No Party Preference in BallotReady election data.

Best advice: Santana cited Mark 10:45 in our questionnaire: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve."

Experience and public service

Santana serves as vice president of Positive Hits Community Service Group South, according to Florida Politics. He lives in Hialeah. He said in our questionnaire that he sits on the community advocacy board of Miami-Dade County.

Asked about his work history, Santana said in our questionnaire: "My work history is rooted in community service, leadership, workforce development, and helping people overcome barriers to employment and economic opportunity. … I also serve in leadership with Positive Hits Community Service Group, a nonprofit organization focused on serving underprivileged families and providing community assistance."

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

On the issues

What sets him apart: 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: 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. Second, I built a for-profit company in e-commerce and internet marketing from the ground up."

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

Santana filed as a lieutenant governor candidate on Aug. 27, 2026, according to the Florida Division of Elections.