About Dr. Jeff Datto

A scientist with a personal commitment to public service.

Dr. Jeffrey P. Datto, known as Dr. Jeff, is a No Party Affiliation candidate for Governor of Florida. His campaign centers on putting Floridians first, strengthening families, protecting civil rights, and making public institutions accountable to the people they serve.

He brings scientific training and lived experience to questions of healthcare, disability, housing, family stability, and government accountability.

Teaching, mentoring, and community science

Dr. Jeff’s work has included helping students build research skills and bringing neuroscience into the community. In their July 2015 letter, W. Dalton Dietrich and Coleen Atkins describe his supervision of science educators at the Miami Brain Fair, including coordinating volunteers and keeping exhibits running smoothly.

Former mentees Yahya Mohammed and Vivien Chen, along with former students Hunter King and Justin Burnett, describe their experience working with him. Their original letters and statements are available below so you can read their accounts in full.

Read the recommendation and support documents

Family, faith, and perseverance

Dr. Jeff is a Christian father of two daughters and a husband. Fatherhood and faith are central to his motivation to serve.

He has experienced serious illness, disability, homelessness, and the difficulty of navigating complex institutions. He has continued through education, hard work, persistence, and a determination to build a better future for his family and fellow Floridians.

That experience informs his commitment to safe accommodation for people experiencing homelessness, accessible public services, fair courts, and dignity throughout life.

Why this campaign is personal

While I was homeless, living in my car and with nowhere to stay, I put $5,656 into my campaign account for the qualifying fee to run for Governor of Florida. That was a majority of the money I had. I made that commitment because this campaign is personal to me. I know what it means to be a person trying to survive while navigating institutions that can determine your home, your health, and your future.

I am a Christian father and husband. I was an altar boy, attended CCD, and was confirmed in the Catholic faith. My family, my faith, and my responsibility to my daughters are central to why I keep going.

My father, George A. Datto, is central to my story and to the foundation of DattoAI. I believe he is watching over me and is proud of me. I want to carry forward the values of education, service, persistence, and integrity, and leave my daughters with a stronger future.

After my father died, there were times when I felt abandoned, including while I was homeless and struggling to survive. I kept going. What I have achieved has come through hard work, education, persistence, and a refusal to give up. I bring that same determination to the work I want to do for Florida.

Science, practical learning, and public service

My background includes neuroscience research, mentoring students, community science education, and learning how AI can help people organize information and understand complex systems. I am also a chess player, digital creator, and fledgling farmer. Those interests reflect how I approach problems: study them, test ideas, keep learning, and do the work.

DattoAI grew out of my effort to use technology to help ordinary people preserve records, understand their circumstances, and advocate for themselves. My campaign connects that practical work with healthcare, education, disability access, fair courts, and accountable public institutions.

I support free English and Spanish courses throughout Florida, helping more people learn, participate, and build opportunity.

Read Dr. Jeff’s quotes

Letters of recommendation and historical support

These 39 documents record recommendations, research support, mentorship, and other experiences from different stages of Dr. Jeff’s life. Each link opens the complete source document, including any qualifications in the author’s account.

These are historical documents, not statements of current campaign endorsement by the writers or their institutions. Roles and affiliations shown in a letter reflect its original context.

Read all 39 documents (PDF) Download the collection