US Election 2026: Pia Dandiya Wins Florida Democratic Primary Election, Faces Casey Askar

Indian-origin educator Pia Dandiya has secured the Democratic nomination for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District after winning the Democratic primary. Dandiya defeated attorney Kaysia Earley by a wide margin, receiving 61.3% of the vote.

Her victory sets up a November showdown against Republican candidate Casey Askar, a businessman and former Marine. The general election, scheduled for November 3, 2026, could be closely watched as Democrats and Republicans compete for control of the US House of Representatives.

Key Highlights

• Pia Dandiya won 61.3% of the Democratic primary vote in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District.
• She defeated attorney Kaysia Earley to secure the Democratic nomination.
• Dandiya will face Republican Casey Askar in the November general election.
• Askar won the Republican nomination with around 24% of the vote in a seven-candidate primary.
• Florida’s 22nd District is a newly created district following redistricting.
• The race could become important in the broader battle for control of the US House.
• A November victory would put Dandiya among the Indian-origin women who have reached the US Congress.

Florida-22 Primary Results at a Glance

Note: Seven candidates competed in the Republican primary. The figures above highlight the leading candidates mentioned in the results.

Pia Dandiya’s Big Democratic Primary Win

Dandiya’s victory gives her the Democratic Party’s ticket for the newly drawn Florida-22 congressional district. Her 61.3% vote share marked a strong performance against Kaysia Earley.

Following her victory, Dandiya thanked voters, volunteers and supporters who backed her campaign. She said she was honored to become the Democratic candidate representing her home state of Florida.

The Democratic National Committee also congratulated Dandiya, highlighting her background as an educator and community leader. The party has positioned her campaign around issues affecting working families, including the rising cost of groceries, healthcare and housing.

Who Is Casey Askar?

Dandiya’s opponent in the November election will be Republican Casey Askar. Askar comes from a business background and is also a former Marine. He secured the Republican nomination in a competitive seven-way primary after receiving approximately 24% of the vote.

The result indicates that the Republican nomination race was also closely contested, with Michael Carbonara receiving 20.6% and Belinda Keiser receiving 20.2%.

The November contest between Dandiya and Askar is therefore expected to attract significant attention in Florida and beyond.

Why Is Florida’s 22nd Congressional District Important?

The Florida-22 race is significant because the district was created following redistricting. Unlike many established congressional districts, there is no incumbent member of Congress defending the seat in this election.

That makes the race an open contest and potentially gives both parties an opportunity to compete for the district.

The seat could also matter nationally because control of the US House may depend on a relatively small number of competitive races across the country.

What Makes the Race Important?

• The district is newly created after redistricting.
• There is no incumbent representative running for the seat.
• Both parties have nominated new candidates.
• The result could contribute to the broader battle for control of the US House.
• Dandiya’s candidacy could increase attention on Indian-origin representation in American politics.

Pia Dandiya’s Political Journey

Dandiya’s political journey did not initially begin with Florida’s 22nd District.

She previously considered running in Florida’s 21st Congressional District, where Republican Representative Brian Mast is the incumbent. She later moved her campaign focus to the newly created 22nd District in South Florida.

The new district offered Dandiya an opportunity to compete for an open congressional seat rather than directly challenging an incumbent.

Who Is Pia Dandiya?

Pia Dandiya is an Indian-origin American educator and community leader who grew up in Palm Beach County, Florida. She has described herself as a first-generation American whose parents immigrated to the United States from India.

Her career has largely focused on education and opportunities for students from underserved communities.

Pia Dandiya’s Career Highlights

• Started her career as a teacher.
• Worked as a high school principal in Harlem, New York.
• Founded a high school focused on helping students from low-income backgrounds.
• Became a school founder at the age of 28.
• Her school reported that every student gained admission to college, with 86% coming from low-income families.
• She has also worked on initiatives involving public policy and technology.

Her background in education has become an important part of her political identity and campaign.

Dandiya’s Message to Voters

After securing the Democratic nomination, Dandiya expressed gratitude to the voters and volunteers who supported her campaign.

Her campaign has focused on creating opportunities for families and improving access to essential services. Issues such as healthcare, housing costs, grocery prices and economic opportunities are expected to remain important as the campaign moves toward the general election.

What Happens Next?

The next major step for Pia Dandiya is the November 3 general election, when she will face Casey Askar.

The contest will determine who represents Florida’s 22nd Congressional District in the US House.

November Election: What to Watch

1. Pia Dandiya vs Casey Askar: The Democratic and Republican nominees will face each other in the general election.
2. Open-seat contest: Neither candidate is defending an existing congressional seat in the newly drawn district.
3. House majority battle: The race could become part of the wider national fight for control of the US House.
4. Indian-American representation: A Dandiya victory would add another Indian-origin woman to the ranks of women serving in the US Congress.

What a Dandiya Victory Would Mean

If Pia Dandiya wins the November election, she would make history as an Indian-origin woman entering the US Congress. Her journey from education to national politics would also make the Florida-22 race particularly notable.

However, the Democratic primary was only the first stage. The November contest against Casey Askar will be the decisive election, with both parties expected to focus heavily on the newly created district.

Conclusion

Pia Dandiya’s victory in the Florida-22 Democratic primary has set up a closely watched 2026 US election contest. After securing 61.3% of the Democratic vote, the Indian-origin educator will now face Republican businessman and former Marine Casey Askar on November 3.

With an open congressional seat and control of the US House potentially at stake, the Pia Dandiya vs Casey Askar race could become one of the contests to watch in the 2026 US elections.