Samuel Vilchez Santiago

Samuel is a proven leader and change-maker who will bring bold solutions to Tallahassee. The son of a small business owner and a special ed. paraprofessional, Samuel came to the U.S. at an early age as a refugee from Venezuela without knowing any English. He has since grown up, gone to school, worked, and lived in Florida House District 48. After graduating as Valedictorian at Colonial High School, Samuel went on to graduate with honors from Princeton University. In 2018, he led a fully youth-run campaign to get Johanna López elected as the first Latina and Puerto Rican School Board member in Orange County.

He currently serves as the Florida Campaign Manager for All Voting is Local, a non-profit organization that focuses on protecting our right to vote. He is also a member of the Orange County Charter Review Commission, where he has been an effective advocate for the protection of our environment, ethics reform, and equal representation for all. He is a board member of the Democratic Hispanic Caucus, Voces Unidas por la Educación, and CCiudadano. He was also the Communications Director for the Orlando chapter of March for Our Lives. Samuel is the recipient of President Obama's Volunteer Service Award, the Congressional Youth Award, and a Rhodes Scholar Finalist. His story is the story of our community: one of hope, resilience and perseverance.