Juan Santana of Hialeah is running for Florida lieutenant governor in the Nov. 3, 2026, general election.
Santana is the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto. He filed as a lieutenant governor candidate on Aug. 27, 2026, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Asked why he is running, Santana said in our candidate questionnaire: "I believe Florida needs leaders who are willing to listen to the people, bring communities together, and make government more accountable and responsive. … 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, according to BallotReady election data:
- Bryan Avila (Republican)
- Gwen Graham (Democratic)
- Benjiman Rojas (No Party Preference)
- Joe Van Vactor (No Party Preference)
- Nicole Skelly (Libertarian)
- Rachel Rodriguez (No Party Preference)
- Ruben A. Coto (No Party Preference)
Candidate information
Birthplace: Miami, Florida, according to Ballotpedia
Party affiliation: "Republican," Santana said in our questionnaire
Education: "FIU/Miami Dade political science construction management," Santana said in our questionnaire. Ballotpedia lists a high school diploma from Miami Coral Park Senior High and a bachelor's degree from Florida International University in 2006.
Family: "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," Santana said in our questionnaire.
Family in politics or government: "No," Santana said in our questionnaire.
Experience and public service
Santana said in our questionnaire that he sits on the community advocacy board of Miami-Dade County.
He has run for office several times. 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. He was also a candidate for Hialeah City Council Group IV in 2025, according to Ballotpedia.
Santana has served as vice president of Positive Hits Community Service Group South, according to Florida Politics. He is also a nonprofit executive and property management professional, according to Ballotpedia.
Santana described his work history 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. … My experience also includes helping people with disabilities pursue employment and become more independent."
Asked what 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." He added: "I built a for-profit company in e-commerce and internet marketing from the ground up …"
On the issues
What sets him apart: Santana addressed this 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."
Property taxes and housing: During a prior Hialeah council race, Santana said he was 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 in our questionnaire: "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve."
The general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
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