Indian-American former school principal Pia Dandiya has won the Democratic primary for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, setting up a November contest against Republican Casey Askar, a former Marine.
Dandiya secured 68.6% of the vote, defeating lawyer Kaysia Earley, who received 31.4%. Thanking voters on X, Dandiya said she entered the race to fight for students, families and a better future, while pledging to lower costs, tackle corruption and make Washington work for people. The Democratic National Committee congratulated her on the primary win.
The Democratic National Committee praised Dandiya as an educator and community leader committed to expanding opportunities and supporting working families, saying it would back her campaign to win the seat and help Democrats regain control of the House.
Born to Indian immigrant parents and raised in Palm Beach County, Dandiya began her career as a teacher before becoming a high school principal in Harlem. She later founded a school focused on helping low-income students achieve economic independence, with all its graduates gaining college admission despite 86% coming from low-income families.
Dandiya, who became a school principal at 28, previously considered challenging Republican Brian Mast in Florida’s 21st District before moving to the newly redrawn 22nd District.
