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 and is listed with no party preference on the ballot.

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 … 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 race include Benjiman Rojas, Bryan Avila, Gwen Graham, Joe Van Vactor, Nicole Skelly, Rachel Rodriguez and Ruben A. Coto.

Candidate information

Birthplace: Miami, Florida, according to Ballotpedia.

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

Education: Santana said in our questionnaire: "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."

Family in politics or government: "No," Santana said in our questionnaire.

Party affiliation: "Republican," Santana said in our questionnaire.

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 said in our questionnaire: "I sit on the community advocacy board of Miami-Dade County."

He has run for office several times in Hialeah, including campaigns for mayor in 2013, 2017 and 2021, and bids for Hialeah City Council seats in 2022, 2024 and 2025, according to Ballotpedia and the Miami Herald.

Santana serves as vice president of Positive Hits Community Service Group South, according to Florida Politics. He is also a property management professional, according to Ballotpedia.

Asked about his work history in our questionnaire, Santana said: "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."

On the issues

Accomplishments: Asked what evidence he would cite for handling 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 … I've met payrolls, hired Floridians, and survived market swings."

Differences from opponents: 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 affordability: In a prior Hialeah council campaign, Santana said he was running to stop "rising property taxes, gentrification and displacement" of residents, according to Florida Politics.