Juan Santana of Hialeah 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.

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."

Candidate information

Party affiliation: "Republican," according to Santana's questionnaire response.

Birthplace: Miami, Florida, according to Ballotpedia.

Residence: Hialeah, Florida, according to the Florida Division of Elections.

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.

Current appointed office: "I sit on the community advocacy board of Miami-Dade County current," Santana said in our questionnaire.

Experience and public service

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

Santana serves 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.

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." He added: "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 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. Second, I built a for-profit company in e-commerce and internet marketing from the ground up." He added: "… I've done both at the same time — balancing mission and margin, volunteers and vendors."

Differences from opponents: "Most candidates in this race have spent their careers in politics. I've spent mine in the community and in business," Santana said in our questionnaire. He added: "The critical difference is simple: my opponents study these problems from a podium. I've lived them."

Property taxes and housing: Santana said he is running 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 lieutenant governor race include Benjiman Rojas, Bryan Avila, Gwen Graham, Joe Van Vactor, Nicole Skelly, Rachel Rodriguez and Ruben A. Coto, according to BallotReady election data.