WEST PALM BEACH (Diya TV ) — The race for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District has entered a new phase after the Cook Political Report moved its rating from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up.” The Sept. 25 change adds attention to a closely watched 2026 House contest between Democrat Pia Dandiya and Republican Casey Askar.
The open-seat race has drawn interest because of the district’s new boundaries and early polling. Cook Political Report said Askar still “should have the edge,” but it also described the contest as highly competitive.
Dandiya welcomed the rating change. She said voters want a leader who will focus on costs, health care and Social Security. She also called the contest one of the most competitive races in the country and urged supporters to help her campaign.
The Cook Political Report update came weeks after a poll from House Majority PAC, a Democratic-aligned political action committee. Impact Research surveyed voters from Aug. 24 through Aug. 31. The poll found Dandiya at 46% and Askar at 44% in an initial matchup.
The survey also tested the broader party preference in the district. Democrats and Republicans each received 46% on the generic congressional ballot. After voters received information about both candidates, Dandiya led Askar 49% to 44%, according to the poll.
Because House Majority PAC sponsored the poll, its results should be viewed in that context. The survey nevertheless adds to the public polling picture in Florida’s 22nd District. Another August poll showed the candidates tied at 50% each.
Dandiya and Askar became their parties’ nominees after the Aug. 18 primary elections. Dandiya won the Democratic nomination, while Askar won a crowded Republican primary. Local 10 reported that Dandiya received about 69% of the Democratic primary vote, while Askar received about 31% in the Republican contest.
Dandiya has an education policy background. Askar is a Marine veteran and businessman. Their campaigns have highlighted different priorities as they prepare for the November election.
Florida adopted a new congressional map during the 2026 redistricting process. The new 22nd District stretches across parts of Palm Beach, Broward, Hendry and Collier counties. It includes communities such as Wellington and Parkland and extends west to areas around Marco Island.
The redrawn boundaries make comparisons with earlier election results more difficult. Cook Political Report noted that Donald Trump carried the district by 10.5 percentage points in 2024, while Joe Biden carried the area by 3 points in 2020 under different district boundaries. Those figures provide historical context, but they do not measure the current candidates’ support directly.
The race now moves into the final stretch of the 2026 campaign. Florida’s general election will take place Nov. 3. The state also has mandatory early voting scheduled from Oct. 24 through Oct. 31.
