Who is Pia Dandiya? Indian-American educator who taught in Delhi slums now running for Congress in Florida

Indian-American educator and policy professional Pia Dandiya has shifted her US Congressional campaign to Florida’s newly redrawn 22nd District, moving from her earlier bid in the 21st District as she enters a closely watched open race in the state, according to the American Bazaar.Dandiya is a former high school principal and technology manager. She is running on a platform focused on reducing the cost of living, strengthening public education, and supporting middle-class families. Her campaign comes after a mid-decade redistricting plan approved by governor Ron DeSantis reshaped several congressional boundaries, turning the 22nd District into a competitive swing seat in South Florida.If elected, she would become the first South Asian American to represent Florida in Congress, reflecting the state’s growing Indian-American population.Dandiya was born and raised in Palm Beach County. She is a first-generation Indian American whose parents immigrated from India seeking better opportunities. Her early exposure to education work included volunteering during her undergraduate years, when she taught English to children in New Delhi slums, an experience she has said shaped her focus on educational equity. She currently lives in Palm Beach County with her husband and son.Her professional career began in education, working as a teacher in low-income schools where she reported strong student outcomes, with more than 90% of her students reaching state proficiency levels. At 28, she founded a charter high school in Harlem, New York, and became one of the youngest principals in US. The school went on to achieve strong academic results, with all graduates earning college admission despite most students coming from low-income backgrounds.She later served as a White House Fellow, working with the Domestic Policy Council and the Department of Education, before moving into the private sector. In that role, she worked at Apple on public sector initiatives involving education, healthcare, and government systems.Her campaign focuses on reducing everyday costs, including fuel, groceries, and healthcare, through measures such as negotiating prescription drug prices. She also supports universal pre-kindergarten, increased investment in public schools, expansion of vocational training, and protection of Social Security and Medicare.Dandiya has also received backing from Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried and reports a campaign fund of $1.17 million in cash on hand. This positions her as a strong contender in the Democratic primary for the newly competitive district.