WEST PALM BEACH, Fla (Diya TV) — Indian-American educator Pia Dandiya won the Democratic primary for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District on Tuesday.
Dandiya defeated attorney Kaysia Earley with 61.3% of the vote. As a result, she secured the Democratic nomination and moved closer to a potential historic victory in November.
Dandiya will face Askar in the Nov. 3 general election. Askar won the Republican primary with 24% of the vote in a seven-candidate field.
Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Michael Carbonara finished second with 20.6%. University administrator Belinda Keiser followed closely with 20.2%.
After her victory, Dandiya thanked voters, volunteers and supporters. She also said her campaign would begin a new phase focused on working families and public service.
“I am so thrilled and honoured to be your Democratic nominee for U.S. Congress here in my home state of Florida,” Dandiya said in her victory speech.
She also called the November campaign the “next chapter” of her effort to represent Florida families.
Dandiya could make history if she wins the general election. She would become the first South Asian American to represent Florida in the U.S. Congress.
Born and raised in Palm Beach County, Dandiya grew up in a first-generation American family with roots in India. She started her career as a teacher. Later, at age 28, she founded a high school in Harlem and became one of the youngest high school principals in the country.
Her campaign says every graduate of the school gained college admission. About 86% of its students came from low-income households.
Dandiya later served as a White House Fellow with the Domestic Policy Council and the Department of Education. She then worked at Apple, where she led public-sector initiatives involving education, health care and state government.
The Florida 22nd District has drawn national attention because both parties see it as a competitive House race.
The newly redrawn district includes parts of Broward, Palm Beach, Hendry and Collier counties. The seat became open after Democratic Rep. Lois Frankel decided to run in the neighboring 23rd District.
Dandiya has built her campaign around economic and social issues. Her platform calls for lower household costs and expanded access to universal pre-kindergarten.
She also supports stronger public schools and expanded vocational training. In addition, she backs protections for Social Security, Medicare and reproductive rights.
Meanwhile, the Democratic National Committee has welcomed her victory. DNC Chair Ken Martin praised Dandiya’s background as an educator and community leader.
The Nov. 3 election will determine whether Dandiya becomes Florida’s first South Asian American member of Congress and whether Democrats can flip the closely watched seat.
