Ricky Santiago

Ricky Santiago (Democratic Party) is running for election to the Florida House of Representatives to represent District 50. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. The Democratic primary for this office on August 18, 2026, was canceled.

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I’m Ricky Santiago, Democratic candidate for the Florida House of Representatives, District 50.

I am a husband, a father, a grandfather, a small business owner, and a proud resident of Lakeland for 37 years. As an Architectural Designer, I have spent more than 30 years working on architectural decorative elements across Central Florida and Florida’s West Coast, helping shape homes, businesses, and communities through hard work, craftsmanship, and dedication.

But my work has never stopped at business. I was a youth baseball coach in Lakeland for 14 years.

I am also an Equality Fighter.

I am a member of the Delegates.US National Network and the Puerto Rico Equality Foundation. For years, I have traveled to Washington, D.C., to advocate before Congress for equality, veterans’ rights, and statehood for Puerto Rico. I have also spoken at the United Nations Headquarters in New York to defend human rights and advocate for the release of political prisoners.

For years, I have taken my fight to Washington to stand up for those who do not have a voice, those who are ignored, and those who cannot defend themselves.

Now, I am bringing that fight to Tallahassee.

I am running to stand up for the working families, children, seniors, veterans, people with disabilities, small business owners, and vulnerable communities who have been forgotten and forsaken by the current administration.

This campaign is about equality, dignity, opportunity, and justice for every family in District 50.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

The foundation of the Ricky Santiago campaign is simple: equal rights, equal protection, and equal dignity for every person in District 50. Our top priority will be special needs children and people with disabilities. For too long, families have been forced to fight alone for services that should already be available to them. Florida’s own disability-service system has left thousands waiting for critical support, and some families have waited more than a decade for help that should never have been delayed in the first place. No child with special needs, no person with disabilities, and no vulnerable family should be left behind. District 50 Help is on the way!Every child in District 50 deserves access to a strong public school, qualified teachers, safe classrooms, modern resources, and the support needed to compete at the highest levels. Our public schools must be fully funded, not treated as an afterthought.

That means investing in classroom materials, technology, mental health services, special education programs, after-school support, career training, and resources that prepare students for college, trades, business, and the workforce.

Teachers also deserve respect. We cannot build strong schools while underpaying the professionals who educate our children. This campaign supports better pay for teachers and school staff so Florida can recruit, retain, and respect our educators.District 50 deserves a representative who is accessible, transparent, accountable, and ready to fight for the people, not the powerful.

Transparency means the people have a right to know what their representative is doing in Tallahassee. Accountability means elected officials should serve the public, not wealthy donors, political insiders, or special interests.

Ricky Santiago will be an accessible Representative, present in the community, available to constituents, and accountable to the people who elected him.

As a small business owner, husband, father, grandfather, and longtime Lakeland resident, Ricky understands that leadership is not about titles. It is about service, responsibility, and showing up when people need you.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

At the heart of my campaign is Equal Rights and Civil Protections. I believe every person deserves equal protection under the law, regardless of race, ethnicity, income, disability, background, or zip code. That means standing up for the most vulnerable communities, protecting children with special needs and people with disabilities, defending immigrant families, and making sure government works for everyone not just the powerful and well-connected.

I am also deeply committed to protecting Black and brown communities from racial profiling and discrimination. No one should be targeted because of the color of their skin, their accent, their last name, or where they come from.