4 November 2026 Punjab Khabarnama Bureau : Indian-origin Democrat Pia Dandiya has won the election to the US House of Representatives from Florida’s 22nd Congressional District in the 2026 midterm elections. She defeated Republican candidate Casey Askar in a closely watched contest, marking a significant milestone in her transition from education and public service to elected office.
Dandiya’s victory was reported by the Associated Press on November 4, following the November 3 midterm elections. CBS News had also projected her victory in the race on election night.
The contest attracted attention because Florida’s 22nd Congressional District was substantially redrawn ahead of the elections, creating an open-seat race. The newly configured district covers parts of Palm Beach, Broward, Hendry and Collier counties in South Florida.
Born to Indian immigrant parents in Florida
Pia Dandiya was born and raised in Palm Beach County, Florida, to parents who migrated from India. A first-generation American, she built her professional career in education, public policy and technology before entering electoral politics.
She began her career as a teacher and later became a high school principal in Harlem, New York. She was the founding principal of Democracy Prep Endurance High School, an institution focused on providing educational opportunities to students from low-income communities.
Dandiya has highlighted her experience working with students and families as a major influence on her decision to enter politics. Her campaign also connected her professional background to issues such as education, affordability and economic opportunity.
From White House Fellow to congressional representative
Dandiya’s professional experience extends beyond the education sector. She served as a White House Fellow and worked with the Domestic Policy Council from 2020 to 2021.
In 2022, she joined Apple, where she worked on public-sector initiatives involving areas such as education, healthcare and workforce development. She left the company in June 2025 before focusing on her political campaign.
Her journey from teaching and school leadership to public policy and technology became an important part of her campaign profile.
What were her key campaign issues?
During the campaign, Dandiya focused on reducing the cost of living, improving access to education and healthcare, expanding economic opportunities and addressing corruption in government.
She said her decision to contest the election was driven by the future of students, families and children growing up in her district. Her campaign also emphasised the need to make housing, groceries and healthcare more affordable for ordinary households.
Her Republican opponent, Casey Askar, is a Naples businessman, restaurant franchising entrepreneur and US Marine Corps veteran. He campaigned on issues including economic growth, border security and support for President Donald Trump’s policies.
The two candidates contested the newly configured district after Florida’s redistricting process changed its boundaries ahead of the 2026 elections.
How the Florida district became an open-seat contest
Florida’s 22nd Congressional District underwent major boundary changes in May 2026 as part of a mid-decade redistricting effort led by Governor Ron DeSantis and the state Legislature.
The revised district brought together areas across four counties, stretching from Palm Beach and Broward towards Hendry and Collier. The changes reshaped the political landscape and created an open-seat contest without an incumbent running under the new boundaries.
Dandiya secured the Democratic nomination in August 2026, defeating attorney Kaysia Earley in the primary. Official Florida election results show that she received 68.6 per cent of the vote, compared with 31.4 per cent for Earley.
Askar won the Republican nomination and advanced to the November general election.
Another milestone for Indian-origin representation
Dandiya’s victory adds to the growing presence of Indian-origin Americans in US public life. Her background as the daughter of Indian immigrants and her career in education and public policy have drawn attention among Indian-American communities.
Her election also comes during a midterm cycle in which several Indian-origin candidates are contesting or holding public offices across the United States.
With her victory in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, Dandiya is set to represent the newly configured constituency in the US House when the next Congress begins in January 2027.
Her journey from a Florida-born daughter of Indian immigrants to a member of the US Congress marks a notable development in the political representation of the Indian-American community.