Democrat José “Dante” Sánchez-Sánchez , a U.S. Air Force veteran and longtime community advocate, is running for the open seat in House District 64.

The race is expected to draw significant attention next year. The seat leans Democratic, and the last time it was on the ballot, a Democrat won. But that same Democrat, Rep. Susan Valdés , is now a Republican after switching parties late last year.

Valdés is term-limited, setting up a competitive open contest as Democrats look to reclaim the seat and Republicans attempt to hold it.

Sánchez-Sánchez immigrated from the Dominican Republic in 2005 and has spent nearly two decades involved in Catholic ministry, marriage enrichment programs, immigration assistance and veterans’ issues. He became Hillsborough County’s first Hispanic electr

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