Dandiya Wins Florida’s Redrawn 22nd District

Pia Dandiya won Florida’s 22nd Congressional District, prevailing over GOP nominee Casey Askar for a seat with no incumbent. The district was reshaped by a new congressional map approved in May, turning it into an open-seat race and making it more competitive for Republicans than its previous configuration. Democrat Lois Frankel now represents the neighboring 23rd District under the revised boundaries.

Dandiya, who once taught and led a high school and served as a White House Fellow, won the Democratic nomination in August by defeating attorney Kaysia Earley. She campaigned on education, the cost of living, economic opportunity, Social Security and anti-corruption measures. She grew up in Palm Beach County, where her parents had immigrated from India, and previously worked at Apple.

Askar, a Naples businessman and Marine Corps veteran with a background in restaurant franchising, ran in favor of President Donald Trump and policies backed by his administration. Dandiya took an early lead, and election projections called the race for her that evening. With 95 percent of votes counted, she led Askar 52.23 percent to 47.77 percent; another tally put the result at 51 percent to 48 percent. She is set to represent the district when the new Congress convenes in January.

Dandiya Wins in District Reshaped by Florida’s New Map

Pia Dandiya’s victory in Florida’s 22nd Congressional District came in a race shaped by the new map approved by state lawmakers in May. The redrawn boundaries created an open seat and made the district more favorable to Republicans than before, but Dandiya defeated Republican Casey Askar in a closely watched contest.

The result puts a Democrat in a district whose new borders joined areas that had been represented by separate members of Congress. The seat had no incumbent: Democrat Lois Frankel now represents the 23rd District under the revised map. Dandiya’s win is a setback for Republicans seeking to capitalize on the remapping.

Dandiya, who formerly taught and served as a high school principal and a White House Fellow, centered her campaign on education, affordability and economic opportunity. She also emphasized Social Security and anti-corruption measures. She won the Democratic primary in August, beating attorney Kaysia Earley.

Askar, a Naples businessman and Marine Corps veteran, ran in support of President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies. Dandiya built an early lead, and projections called the race for her that evening. With 95 percent of the vote counted, she was ahead 52.23 percent to 47.77 percent. She is due to take the seat when the new Congress convenes in January.

Republicans Fall Short in Newly Redrawn Florida House District

Republicans failed to win Florida’s newly configured 22nd Congressional District, as Democrat Pia Dandiya beat Casey Askar in a contest that drew close attention in South Florida. The district’s new boundaries, approved in May, created an open seat and shifted it toward greater Republican competitiveness. Dandiya nevertheless prevailed.

Askar, a Naples entrepreneur and former Marine who made his way in restaurant franchising, campaigned in support of President Donald Trump and his administration’s policies. His loss leaves the district represented by a Democrat despite the changes to its boundaries. The new seat had no incumbent; Lois Frankel now represents the 23rd District.

Dandiya campaigned on education, affordability and economic opportunity, as well as Social Security and anti-corruption measures. A former teacher and high school principal, she previously served as a White House Fellow and worked at Apple. She secured the Democratic nomination in August by defeating attorney Kaysia Earley.

Dandiya moved into an early lead, and projections declared her the winner that evening. With 95 percent of votes counted, her advantage stood at 52.23 percent to Askar’s 47.77 percent. She is expected to represent the district when the new Congress convenes in January.