Indian-American Pia Dandiya wins Florida Democratic primary

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

Dandiya secured 68.6 per cent of the vote to defeat lawyer Kaysia Earley, who received 31.4 per cent.

“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 message 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 said.

The Democratic National Committee congratulated Dandiya on her primary victory.

“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 committee 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.

Born to parents who migrated to the US from India, Dandiya had earlier sought to challenge Republican Brian Mast, chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, in Florida's 21st Congressional District.

The former high school principal later moved her campaign to South Florida's 22nd Congressional District, which was created through redistricting and had no incumbent running in the race.

According to her campaign website, Dandiya is a first-generation American who has worked as a high school principal, policy leader and technology innovator, with a focus on strengthening communities.

Born and raised in Palm Beach County, Florida, Dandiya began her career as a teacher before becoming a high school principal in Harlem.

She later founded a high school aimed at helping low-income students improve their economic prospects.

According to her campaign, every graduate of the school gained admission to college, despite 86 per cent of its students coming from low-income households.

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