Juan Santana, a Hialeah nonprofit executive, 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, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Santana filed as a candidate on Aug. 27, 2026.

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." He said his 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

Birthplace: Miami, Florida, according to Ballotpedia.

Residence: Hialeah, Florida.

Party affiliation: Asked about his party, Santana said in our questionnaire, "Republican."

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."

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

Other candidates in this race: Bryan Avila (Republican), Gwen Graham (Democratic), Nicole Skelly (Libertarian), Benjiman Rojas (No Party Preference), Joe Van Vactor (No Party Preference), Rachel Rodriguez (No Party Preference) and Ruben A. Coto (No Party Preference).

Experience and public service

Santana 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."

Santana has run for office multiple times. 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.

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." He added, "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.

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."