The race for Florida’s newly redrawn 22nd Congressional District has emerged as a closely contested contest between Democratic candidate Pia Dandiya and Republican candidate Casey Askar. Recent polling and a change in the Cook Political Report’s race rating have drawn increased attention to the open-seat election ahead of the November 3 general election.
A House Majority PAC poll conducted by Impact Research from August 24 through August 31 found Dandiya leading Askar 46% to 44% among likely voters in an initial head-to-head matchup. After respondents were provided information about both candidates, Dandiya’s support increased to 49%, compared with 44% for Askar. The same survey found the generic congressional ballot tied at 46% for Democratic and Republican candidates. Because the poll was commissioned by House Majority PAC, a Democratic-aligned political action committee, its sponsorship is relevant when considering the results.
Another public survey conducted by Tavern Research from August 10 through August 12 among 551 likely voters showed the two candidates tied at 50% each. The available polling therefore shows a relatively small difference between the candidates rather than a consistent large polling margin.
The Cook Political Report changed its rating for Florida’s 22nd District on September 25 from “Lean Republican” to “Toss Up.” Its current race summary describes Askar as a Marine veteran who won the Republican primary and Dandiya as an education policy expert and Democratic nominee. The Cook report also notes that the newly drawn district stretches from Palm Beach County toward Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Who is Pia Dandiya
Dandiya is a first-time congressional candidate and former educator whose parents immigrated from India. She won the Democratic primary on August 18 and is running in the newly configured 22nd District after previously campaigning for a different congressional district.
Pia Dandiya’s Vision for Florida’s 22nd District
Pia Dandiya is running for Congress in Florida’s 22nd District, an open seat created by what she and her supporters describe as Florida Republicans’ mid-decade gerrymandering. She wants to strengthen public education, expand economic opportunity, and protect families’ freedom to make decisions about their lives and futures. Her experience in classrooms, government, and the private sector has shaped how she approaches those goals.
Today, Pia is raising her family in Palm Beach Gardens, only miles from where she grew up. Her connection to the area is central to her campaign. She believes families deserve a representative who understands their concerns and puts their needs first.
From Jupiter Classrooms to National Leadership
Pia’s story begins in Jupiter, Florida, where she was born and raised by parents who came from India seeking greater opportunity. As a first-generation American growing up in the 22nd District, she learned the value of hard work and education. She also saw how much a person’s future can depend on having the chance to pursue them.
She began her career as a teacher in low-income schools, where more than 90% of her students reached proficiency on state exams. At 28, Pia founded a high school in Harlem to help change the prospects of students growing up in poverty. Under her leadership, every graduate earned admission to college, although most students came from low-income families. Their achievements showed what is possible when young people receive strong teaching, guidance, and resources.
Pia later served as a White House Fellow, working at the Domestic Policy Council and the Department of Education. She saw firsthand how decisions made in Washington affect families across the country. She then led public sector initiatives at Apple, partnering with state leaders to improve education, health care, and government systems so they could better serve their communities.
Helping Florida Families Build Secure Futures
Across each stage of her career, Pia has worked to give people a better chance to succeed. Her experience has strengthened her belief that economic independence helps families thrive. Good schools and jobs, affordable health care, and dependable child care all play a part in making that independence possible. She believes that when communities invest in people, the benefits extend well beyond any one household.
In Congress, Pia says she will work to expand early childhood education and job training and make health care and child care more affordable. She is committed to defending Social Security, Medicare, and support for veterans. She also pledges to protect the democratic values that give every person a voice.
For Pia, this campaign is a chance to help more Floridians build secure and fulfilling lives. She is asking voters to support leadership grounded in her experience and focused on the opportunities families need. Global Indian News Network is proud to stand with her in this race and support the effort to take back the U.S. House.
The district itself has undergone significant changes as part of Florida’s mid-decade congressional redistricting. The new boundaries include portions of Palm Beach, Broward, Hendry and Collier counties, bringing together urban, suburban and rural communities. The redrawn district is substantially different from its previous configuration, making comparisons with older election results less direct.
Dandiya has emphasized issues including household costs, economic security, education and access to government programs during her campaign. Askar, a Marine veteran and businessman, won the Republican nomination for the open seat. Both candidates are now campaigning across a geographically diverse district as they prepare for the November election.
The recent Cook Political Report rating and polling have placed the Florida 22nd District among the closely watched House contests of the 2026 election cycle. With the district newly redrawn and no incumbent running under the new boundaries, the November 3 election will determine whether Pia Dandiya or Casey Askar represents the district in the U.S. House.
