By Raj Shah
Pia Dandiya, a proud resident of District 21, daughter of Indian immigrants, a former high school principal and White House fellow who led public sector initiatives at Apple is a new Democratic challenger to the Republican U.S. Representative Brian Mast
Pia Dandiya is a first-generation Indian- American who has dedicated her career to strengthening communities as a high school principal, policy leader and technology innovator.
A Democrat who wants to write a new future, Pia is determined to make the American dream more accessible to her fellow Floridians.
Pia Dandiya has officially entered the race for Florida’s 21st Congressional District.
She said she’s running to “make the American dream accessible to every family across the country.”
“Now more than ever, we need leaders in Washington with a proven track record of putting the American people first,” she stated. “Elected leadership shouldn’t be about headlines or political fights — it should be about the American people.”
A graduate of Harvard University and Boston University, Dandiya brings an extensive background to the race. During her undergraduate years, she taught English to children in New Delhi’s slums during the summers and worked in former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s office, advocating for public education through the “I Have a Dream” Foundation.
Her teaching career began as a Teach for America corps member in under-resourced schools. She later founded a high-performing high school in Harlem, where every student gained college admission, despite 86% of them living below the poverty line. At just 28 years old, she became one of the youngest principals in the country.
Her work in education led to her appointment as a White House Fellow, where she served under both Presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump. During her tenure on the White House Domestic Policy Council and at the U.S. Department of Education, Dandiya contributed to policies related to child development, school nutrition, and access to quality education.
Since January 2022, she has worked at Apple, leading public sector partnerships aimed at improving education, health care, and government services through technology. She was also appointed by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker to the state’s P-20 Council, where she co-chairs the K-12 Computer Science working group focused on expanding digital learning opportunities throughout the state.
In launching her campaign on Monday, Dandiya unveiled a legislative platform centered on universal pre-K, workforce development for the 21st century, lowering health care costs, and safeguarding entitlement programs such as Social Security and Medicare.
She also pledged to champion abortion rights and make robust investments in public education if elected, contrasting her vision with that of Rep. Mast — a combat veteran who has held the seat since 2017 and is known for supporting former President Trump’s “America First” agenda.
“Floridians deserve better,” Dandiya declared. “Congressman Mast has stood by as tariffs hurt small businesses, health care costs soar, and veterans are left behind — all while critical programs like Social Security and Medicare face threats. We need bold, effective leadership that meets this moment with clarity and courage.”
Florida’s 21st Congressional District encompasses all of Martin and St. Lucie counties and parts of northern Palm Beach County. While it leans Republican — with a Cook Political Report rating of R+7 — it includes suburban areas where Democratic issues like education and health care resonate strongly.
Here are Five Major Commitments of Pia Dandiya
- Economic Opportunity For Every American
- Strong Schools, Bright Futures
- Defending America’s Promise
- Preserving The American Dream
- Putting People Over Politics
More About Pia Dandiya
Pia Dandiya, a proud native of District 21 and daughter of Indian immigrants, has built a career centered on empowering underserved communities through education and public service. Starting as a middle and high school teacher, she went on to found a high-performing high school in Harlem at just 28, where 100% of students—most living below the poverty line—were admitted to college. Her leadership as principal made her one of the youngest in the country and shaped her commitment to economic freedom through education.
Her dedication led her to serve as a White House Fellow at the Domestic Policy Council and Department of Education, where she deepened her belief in the importance of economic independence, childcare access, and affordable healthcare. She now leads public sector initiatives at Apple, helping states use technology to modernize education, healthcare, and governance. Appointed to the Illinois P-20 Council, she co-chaired the K-12 Computer Science group to improve collaboration across education systems.
Pia holds degrees from Harvard and Boston University and has worked in education-focused roles since her college years. Her experience in classrooms, policy circles, and the tech sector equips her to be a people-first leader in Congress. She champions universal pre-K, reproductive rights, job training, and stronger social programs like Social Security and Medicaid.
Living in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband and 2.5 year old sonSahib Sing Alag—who attends the Montessori school her mother founded—Pia is driven to make the government more responsive and ensure that all Americans have the tools not just to survive, but to thrive.
