Pia Dandiya Makes History as Second Indian American Woman in Congress
Historic Victory for Pia Dandiya
File image of Piya Dandiya(Photo: @OfficialPreetiM/X)
Washington, Nov 4: Pia Dandiya, whose parents immigrated from Jaipur, Rajasthan, has secured a victory in Florida's 22nd Congressional District, marking her as the second Indian American woman to join the US House of Representatives, following Pramila Jayapal.
As a Democrat, Dandiya triumphed over Republican Casey Askar, as reported by Decision Desk HQ and CBS News.
NBC News indicated Dandiya's lead with approximately 52% of the vote compared to Askar's 48%, with nearly all ballots counted. The race saw a significant shift of about 14 points towards the Democrats compared to the 2024 presidential election results.
Raised in Palm Beach County, Dandiya's family settled in Jupiter after emigrating in the 1980s. Her father, Dr. Rohit Dandiya, continued his medical career in the US, while her mother established a Montessori school in Jupiter, initially for Dandiya's education.
With a strong connection to her Indian roots, Dandiya frequently visited India as a child to bond with her cousins.
"My parents would send me on solo trips to India, which were transformative and crucial in shaping my identity. They helped me grasp the workings of different democracies and the reality of global inequality," she shared in an interview with New India Abroad in August 2025.
After her first year at Harvard, she dedicated a summer to teaching English to children aged 7 to 17 in New Delhi's slums through the Asha Cooperative Society.
"Working with those underprivileged children taught me that the divide among people is often due to their circumstances, not their potential," she reflected.
"I was raised in this district by parents who pursued the American dream, and I am committed to ensuring that dream is accessible to more families," Dandiya stated when endorsed by the Indian American Impact Fund in 2025.
Dandiya holds a degree in government from Harvard and a master's in education from Boston University. She taught with Teach For America in Boston and became the founding principal of Democracy Prep Endurance High School in Harlem, where nearly 86% of students were from low-income backgrounds, and all graduates were accepted into college, according to her campaign.
"About 86% of my students lived below the poverty line, but we promised them a brighter future: if they attended our school, they would all gain college admission," she noted.
In 2020, she served as a White House Fellow on the Domestic Policy Council and at the US Department of Education, later leading public initiatives at Apple. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker appointed her to the state's P-20 Council.
This election marked Dandiya's first foray into politics. She initially aimed to run in the 21st District against Republican Brian Mast but switched to the open 22nd District following Florida's mid-decade redistricting, winning the Democratic primary on August 18.
The district has a Republican registration advantage, with approximately 185,000 Republicans, 146,000 Democrats, and 150,000 voters affiliated with other parties, as reported by Florida Politics.
Dandiya's campaign focused on issues such as the cost of living, corruption, healthcare, education, and gun safety. "Residents of South Florida are frustrated with rising costs and the ineffective politics coming from Washington," she expressed to Florida Politics.
The race attracted significant financial backing. By October 14, Dandiya had raised around $1.6 million, while Askar raised about $1.4 million, primarily through loans to his campaign. Askar's self-funding reached approximately $1.8 million, according to Federal Election Commission records.
The No Going Back PAC, a super PAC funded by MAGA Inc., reported spending about $1.5 million against her by October 24, based on FEC filings. Meanwhile, the House Majority PAC, the main Democratic super PAC for House races, spent around $1.9 million against Askar.
Dandiya received endorsements from the Indian American Impact Fund, Serve America PAC, and Wellington's Republican mayor, Michael Napoleone.
"I believe that the individual matters more than the party, and Pia has earned my respect and endorsement," Napoleone stated. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg campaigned alongside her on October 26.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee highlighted her focus on critical issues for South Florida, such as tackling the affordability crisis and ensuring everyone has a chance to achieve the American Dream.
"Congratulations to @PiaforCongress on her election victory! I am thrilled to welcome the third South Asian American woman (alongside myself and @aishabbwahab) to the House!!!" tweeted Indian-American Representative Pramila Jayapal.
Dandiya resides in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband, Navneet Alag, and their son, Sahib.
Her victory maintains the presence of the Indian-American "Samosa Caucus" in the House for the upcoming Congress.