Juan Santana, a Hialeah nonprofit executive and property management professional, is running for Florida lieutenant governor in the Nov. 3 general election. He is the running mate of No Party Affiliation gubernatorial candidate Jeffrey Peter "Dr. Jeff" Datto, according to the Florida Division of Elections. Santana filed as a candidate on Aug. 27.

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. My 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."

Other candidates in the lieutenant governor 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).

Candidate information

Birthplace: Miami, Florida, according to Ballotpedia.

Address on file: 5601 West 10th Avenue, Hialeah, FL 33012, per the Florida Division of Elections.

Education: Asked about his 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."

Party affiliation: Santana identified as "Republican" in our questionnaire. The Florida Division of Elections lists him as Republican. He is running on a No Party Affiliation ticket as Datto's running mate.

Family in politics: Asked whether anyone in his family works in politics or government, Santana said: "No."

Experience and public service

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

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

He has run for office multiple times in Hialeah: candidate for mayor in 2013, 2017 and 2021; candidate for a Hialeah City Council interim seat in 2022 and 2024; and candidate for Hialeah City Council Group IV in 2025, according to Ballotpedia and the Miami Herald.

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 … My experience also includes helping people with disabilities pursue employment and become more independent."

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: "First, 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."

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."