Pia Dandiya, a former high school principal and technology manager, is officially shifting her campaign to seek election in Florida’s newly configured 22nd Congressional District.
Transitioning from her initial bid in the 21st District, Dandiya enters the open race with an emphasis on middle-class economic stability, lowered living costs, and public education investments.
If elected, Dandiya would become the first South Asian American to represent Florida in Congress, a historic milestone for a state with a large and fast-growing South Asian population.
Dandiya’s entrance into the race is supported by her background as a first-generation Indian American. Born and raised in Palm Beach County, her perspective was shaped by her immigrant parents, who arrived in the United States from India to pursue greater career and personal opportunities.
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Before launching her campaign, her early dedication to community service included spending undergraduate summers teaching English to children in New Delhi slums, an experience that reinforced her commitment to educational equity. Today, she continues to reside in Palm Beach County with her husband and son.
Her professional career began in the classroom as a teacher in low-income schools, where she helped more than 90% of her students achieve state proficiency marks.
At age 28, Dandiya founded a charter high school in Harlem, New York, making her one of the youngest principals in the country. Under her leadership, the institution became one of the highest-performing high schools in New York state, with 100% of its graduates earning college admission despite 86% of the student body living below the poverty line.
Dandiya later expanded her policy and administrative expertise by serving as a White House Fellow, working directly within the Domestic Policy Council and the Department of Education.
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Following her fellowship, she moved into the private sector to lead public sector initiatives at Apple. In this capacity, she collaborated with state leaders to modernize public education, healthcare, and government systems.
Dandiya’s congressional platform addresses the cost-of-living crisis head-on. She advocates for policies to curb inflation on everyday essentials like gas and groceries, lower healthcare expenses by negotiating prescription drug prices, and implement universal pre-K. Her agenda also targets public school funding, expanded vocational and trade programs, and the protection of Social Security and Medicare.
Following a mid-decade redistricting plan approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis, the newly drawn 22nd District has emerged as a key swing seat stretching across South Florida.
Backed by a formal endorsement from Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and a campaign war chest of $1.17 million in cash on hand, Dandiya enters the primary contest as a prominent front-runner.