Who is running for Florida House, District 43 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for Florida House, District 43 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Florida House District 43.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Jorge MalavetRepublican | Samuel Vilchez SantiagoDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| School choice | Yes, universal school choice for every familyQuestionnaire answer · low | No public position |
Jorge Malavet
RepublicanPrivate citizen
Jorge Malavet was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, enlisted in the U.S. Navy at 18 and retired as a Navy officer, according to his campaign site2. Ballotpedia lists Navy service from 1988 to 2008, a bachelor's degree from Regents College, a graduate degree from Troy University and a law degree from Barry University3. He faces Democrat Samuel Vilchez Santiago for the open House District 43 seat on November 3, 20261.
Where they stand 1 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
School choiceYes, universal school choice for every familylow
Questionnaire answer · low confidence- In his 2026 Ballotpedia survey he said he supports school choice and believes parents, not government bureaucrats, should decide what is best for their children's education. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Samuel Vilchez Santiago
DemocratChair, Orange County Democratic Party
Samuel Vilchez Santiago grew up in East Orlando, the son of political refugees, graduated as valedictorian of Colonial High School and earned honors degrees from Princeton University and the University of Oxford, according to his campaign site2. He chairs the Orange County Democratic Party and has worked as a nonprofit leader and immigrant-rights advocate2. He faces Republican Jorge Malavet for the open House District 43 seat on November 3, 20261.
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Immigration, Energy and climate, School choice, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Policing and crime, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, Transgender athletes, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Last reviewed 2026-10-10. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.