José Sánchez-Sánchez joins competitive HD 64 contest as Dems look to reclaim Hillsborough seat

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 electrical inspector in 2014 after working as a journeyman electrician and earning multiple technical certifications. He later founded Trypower Electrical Services Inc., a contracting firm that specializes in critical water and wastewater utility facilities. His work in the sector follows earlier roles with Hillsborough County Public Schools and the county’s wastewater department, where he focused on infrastructure safety and compliance. Sánchez-Sánchez served as a reservist with the Air Force’s 927th Security Forces Squadron from 2016 to 2026, including a deployment supporting major U. S. operations in the Middle East. He received the Air Force Achievement Medal in 2020. The Tampa City Council recognized him in 2023 for his community and military service. Calling himself a “New Democrat,” Sánchez-Sánchez said his campaign will not compromise on core family values as he seeks to represent one of Hillsborough County’s largest immigrant populations. “Dante’s stance on family values is not merely a political talking point; it is the foundation of his personal and public life, reflected in his core motto: God, Family, and Community,” his campaign said in a statement.
https://floridapolitics.com/archives/766225-jose-sanchez-sanchez-joins-competitive-hd-64-contest-as-dems-look-to-reclaim-hillsborough-seat/