Indian-American educator Pia Dandiya has won the Democratic primary for Florida's 22nd Congressional District, putting her on course for a closely watched November election that could have implications for control of the US House of Representatives.

Dandiya secured 61.3 per cent of the vote, defeating attorney Kaysia Earley in Tuesday's primary. She will face Republican businessman and Marine veteran Casey Askar in the November 3 general election.

Askar won the Republican nomination with 24 per cent of the vote in a seven-candidate field. Cryptocurrency entrepreneur Michael Carbonara received 20.6 per cent, while university administrator Belinda Keiser secured 20.2 per cent.

Celebrating her victory, Dandiya said the campaign had entered a new phase.

“I am so thrilled and honoured to be your Democratic nominee for US Congress here in my home state of Florida,” Dandiya said in her victory speech.

“To the voters, to the volunteers, and to everyone who’s believed in our campaign for months, a truly heartfelt thank you,” she said.

Dandiya added that her campaign would now begin “the next chapter of our fight to stand up for working families and to write a new chapter of what it means to be a public servant in Florida.”

Who is Pia Dandiya?

Born and raised in Palm Beach County to Indian parents, Dandiya is a first-generation American who began her career as a teacher.

At 28, she founded a high school in Harlem and went on to become one of the youngest high school principals in the country. According to her campaign, every graduate of the school was admitted to college, even though 86 per cent of its students came from low-income households.

Dandiya later served as a White House Fellow with the Domestic Policy Council and the Department of Education. She subsequently worked on public-sector initiatives at Apple involving education, healthcare and state government.

If elected, Dandiya would become the first South Asian American to represent Florida in the US Congress.

What is at stake?

The newly redrawn 22nd District covers parts of Broward, Palm Beach, Hendry and Collier counties. The seat became open after Democratic Representative Lois Frankel decided to contest the neighbouring 23rd District.

Dandiya's campaign focuses on reducing household costs, universal pre-kindergarten, stronger public schools, vocational training, and protecting Social Security, Medicare and reproductive rights.

The Democratic National Committee has identified the district as a potential pickup opportunity. DNC Chair Ken Martin said:

“As an educator and longtime leader in her community, Pia has dedicated herself to expanding opportunity and fighting for working families,” Martin said.

“She is ready to fight in Congress to lower the costs of groceries, healthcare, and housing for South Florida families. The DNC is ready to help elect Pia, flip this seat, and take back the House majority in November,” Martin said.

The Cook Political Report and Sabato's Crystal Ball rate the district as leaning Republican. Donald Trump won the newly drawn boundaries with about 54.6 per cent of the vote in 2024, while Joe Biden won the same territory with 51 per cent in 2020. Both parties have listed the race among their priority contests.