The 2026 US midterm elections have brought an Indian-origin name into the spotlight: Pia Dandiya. The Democrat has won Florida's 22nd Congressional District, defeating Republican candidate Casey Askar.
While her victory has drawn attention to Indian-American representation in US politics, Dandiya's journey to the election has an interesting backstory. From her family's roots in Jaipur to an academic journey at Harvard, she has taken a path that spans education, public service and the private sector.
So, who is Pia Dandiya, and how did she go from working in classrooms to making her way into American politics?
Who Is Pia Dandiya? Meet The Democrat From Florida
Pia Dandiya is an Indian-American Democrat elected to represent Florida's 22nd Congressional District in the US House of Representatives.
Born and raised in the US, she comes from a family with roots in Jaipur, Rajasthan. Her parents immigrated from India and, in an interview with The Times of India, her father, Dr. Rohit Dandiya, described her victory as a personal milestone for the family.
He also spoke about her connection to Indian food, culture and Bollywood, as well as her close ties with her grandparents and relatives. Although her parents initially hoped she would become a doctor, Dandiya eventually chose a career in education and public service.
From Teaching In Delhi To Building A Career In Education
Dandiya studied Government at Harvard University, graduating in 2009, before completing a master's degree in Education at Boston University.
While at Harvard, she spent a summer teaching English to children aged seven to 17 from underprivileged communities in Delhi through the Asha Cooperative Society. The experience shaped her interest in educational inequality.
After graduation, she joined Teach For America as a teacher in Boston and later worked in teacher development in New York. At 28, she became the founding principal of Democracy Prep Endurance High School in Harlem. According to her campaign, around 86% of its students came from low-income families, and every graduating student secured college admission.
Her experience in teaching and school leadership laid the foundation for her move into public service.
From The White House To Apple
In 2020, Dandiya was selected as a White House Fellow, working with the White House Domestic Policy Council and the US Department of Education on education and public policy.
The fellowship gives selected professionals an opportunity to work within the federal government and understand policymaking.
She later joined Apple, where, from 2022 to 2025, she led public-sector initiatives and worked with government bodies to modernise education, healthcare and public services.
Her career had taken her from teaching in Delhi and Boston to leading a school in Harlem, working in the White House and handling government initiatives at Apple before entering electoral politics.
Why Pia Dandiya's Victory Matters
Dandiya won Florida's 22nd Congressional District in the 3 November 2026 US midterm elections, defeating Republican Casey Askar with 51.9% of the vote against his 48.1%. The redrawn district had also seen her win the Democratic primary on 18 August, defeating Kaysia Earley with 68.6%. She takes office in January 2027.
Her victory boosts the “Samosa Caucus”, an informal group of Indian-American lawmakers that had six members in January 2025: Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Shri Thanedar and Suhas Subramanyam. Krishnamoorthi's unsuccessful Senate bid and Thanedar's primary defeat threatened to reduce its numbers.
Dandiya will become the second Indian-American woman in the House, after Jayapal. Meanwhile, Amish Shah was leading in Arizona's 1st Congressional District when NDTV reported the results. His victory could bring the group's strength back to six.
TL;DR | News At A Glance
Who is Pia Dandiya?
Pia Dandiya is an Indian-American Democratic politician who won Florida's 22nd Congressional District in the 2026 US midterm elections.
What is her educational background?
She graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Government and earned a master's degree in Education from Boston University.
What did she do before entering politics?
She worked as a teacher, founded and led a high school in Harlem, served as a White House Fellow and later led public-sector initiatives at Apple.
Who did she defeat in the 2026 elections?
She defeated Republican candidate Casey Askar, securing approximately 51.9% of the vote.
What is the Samosa Caucus?
It is an informal group of Indian-American lawmakers in the US Congress. Dandiya's victory adds another member of Indian origin to the House.
Why is her victory significant?
She becomes the second Indian-American woman elected to the US House of Representatives, after Pramila Jayapal.
