Dandiya wins Florida's 22nd District in first election under new map

Pia Dandiya won the race for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District on Tuesday, defeating Republican Casey Askar. Dandiya, a Democrat, secures the seat in what officials described as a newly drawn, Republican-friendly open district.

The district was created following a recent redrawing of the state’s electoral map. It has not yet had a representative in Congress under its current boundaries. The area covers a wide geographic span, including communities such as Weston and Coral Springs. It stretches west across the Everglades to Marco Island.

Dandiya enters the House as a political newcomer. She previously worked as a teacher and served as a high school principal. She also spent time in the technology industry, working at Apple. Born and raised in Palm Beach County to Indian parents, Dandiya becomes the first South Asian to represent Florida in the U.S. House.

During her victory speech Tuesday night, Dandiya addressed children across the state. She outlined her goals for their future. “I want to fight for a future that is worthy of you, where you can go to school and learn and feel safe,” Dandiya said. “Where you can live in a warm home with room to dream and play, where you can see a doctor when you're sick that your parents can afford, and where you feel the freedom to become whoever you dream of being, regardless of your zip code.”

The winner will represent a geographically and demographically diverse group of South Florida communities. The result concludes the first election held under the new district boundaries.