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. Santana is the running mate of gubernatorial candidate Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto.

Santana said in our candidate questionnaire that his decision to run "comes from years of community service and working directly with families … and communities that often feel that their voices are not being heard."

He said he wants to "strengthen communication between state government and local communities, support workforce development and vocational training, expand economic opportunities." He also cited goals to "address housing and infrastructure challenges, and make sure Floridians have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect their families and communities."

Other candidates in the race include 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), according to BallotReady election data.

Candidate information

Born in: Miami, Florida, according to Ballotpedia.

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.

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.

Party affiliation: "Republican," Santana said in our questionnaire. BallotReady lists him under No Party Preference.

Family in politics: "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 serves as vice president of Positive Hits Community Service Group South, according to Florida Politics. In our questionnaire, Santana described the nonprofit as "focused on serving underprivileged families and providing community assistance."

He said his work there has included "food distribution, community outreach, social-service initiatives, and programs designed to connect residents with resources and opportunities."

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

On the issues

Asked 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." He added: "I've been in the rooms with them, delivering help, not just talking about it."

On accomplishments that qualify him for the job, Santana said: "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 also cited building "a for-profit company in e-commerce and internet marketing from the ground up."

Asked about the best advice he has received, Santana said in our questionnaire: "Mark 10:45 — 'For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve.'"