Juan Santana, a Hialeah nonprofit executive and property management professional, is running for Florida lieutenant governor in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election. He filed as a candidate on Aug. 27, 2026, according to the Florida Division of Elections, and is the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto.

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."

Candidate information

Born: Miami, Florida

Residence: Hialeah

Party: No Party Preference, per BallotReady election data. The Florida Division of Elections lists Santana as Republican, and he identified himself as Republican in our questionnaire.

Education: Santana said in our questionnaire: "FIU/Miami Dade political science construction management." He holds a bachelor's degree from Florida International University (2006) and a high school diploma from Miami Coral Park Senior High, according to Ballotpedia.

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."

Family in politics: "No," Santana said.

Experience and public service

Santana has run for office several times. He serves as vice president of Positive Hits Community Service Group South, according to Florida Politics. He also works as a property management professional and nonprofit executive, according to Ballotpedia. He said in our questionnaire that he sits on the community advocacy board of Miami-Dade County.

He was a candidate for mayor of Hialeah 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.

Asked about his work history, Santana said in our questionnaire: "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 … I also serve in leadership with Positive Hits Community Service Group, a nonprofit organization focused on serving underprivileged families and providing community assistance."

On the issues

Accomplishments: Asked what evidence 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. Second, I built a for-profit company in e-commerce and internet marketing from the ground up …"

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 … The critical difference is simple: my opponents study these problems from a podium. I've lived them."

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

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."

Other candidates in the 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.