Pia Dandiya, Indian-origin educator who founded school for low-income students, wins Florida Democratic primary; faces Republican ex-Marine Casey Askar in November showdown

Indian-American former school principal Pia Dandiya has won the Democratic primary for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, setting up a November election contest against Republican Casey Askar, a former Marine.

Dandiya secured 68.6% of the vote, comfortably defeating lawyer Kaysia Earley, who received 31.4%.

Her victory puts the first-generation American on the ballot for the November general election in a newly redrawn South Florida district where no incumbent was competing.

Pia Dandiya wins Florida 22nd congressional district primary

Dandiya thanked voters after her primary victory, saying her campaign was driven by her experience as an educator and her hopes for the next generation.

“Thank you, FL-22, for believing in this campaign. I got into this race for my students, my son, and every kid growing up in this district who deserves a better future,” Dandiya said in a post on X.

“Together, we will keep building a movement to lower costs, end corruption, and make Washington work for us again. I’m grateful to do it with you all,” she added.

DNC backs Pia Dandiya after Florida primary victory

The Democratic National Committee congratulated Dandiya on winning the primary and backed her campaign for the November election.

“As an educator and longtime leader in her community, Pia has dedicated herself to expanding opportunity and fighting for working families. She is ready to fight in Congress to lower the costs of groceries, healthcare, and housing for South Florida families,” the DNC said in a statement.

“The DNC is ready to help elect Pia, flip this seat, and take back the House majority in November,” it added.

Who is Pia Dandiya?

Dandiya is a first-generation American whose parents migrated to the US from India. She was born and raised in Palm Beach County, Florida, and began her career as a teacher before becoming a high school principal.

According to her campaign website, she has worked as a policy leader and technology innovator, with her career focused on strengthening communities and expanding opportunities for young people.

She became a high school principal in Harlem and later founded a school aimed at helping low-income students build a path towards economic independence.

Pia Dandiya founded school for low-income students

Dandiya founded a high school with the aim of changing the life trajectories of students from low-income families.

Her campaign says every graduate of the school gained admission to college, despite 86% of the students coming from low-income households.

She became the founding principal at the age of 28, making her one of the youngest high school principals in the country, according to her campaign website.

Her background in education is now central to her political campaign as she seeks to take her experience in schools and community leadership to Washington.

Pia Dandiya previously considered another Florida congressional race

The Democratic candidate had earlier planned to challenge Republican Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in Florida’s 21st Congressional District.

She later moved her campaign to the 22nd District after the area was created through redistricting. The district presented a different opportunity, with no incumbent entering the primary race.

Who is Casey Askar?

Dandiya will now face Republican Casey Askar in the November election.

Askar is a veteran of the US Marine Corps and secured the Republican nomination for the Florida congressional seat.

The general election will determine who represents Florida’s 22nd Congressional District in the US House of Representatives.

Florida 22nd district election heads to November

Dandiya’s Democratic primary victory marks the next stage of a campaign that combines her background in education, community leadership and technology with her political ambitions.

With the Democratic and Republican nominees now set, attention will turn to the November contest between Dandiya and Askar.

For Dandiya, the election represents an opportunity to become a congressional representative while bringing her experience as an educator and first-generation American into national politics.


Inputs from agencies