Pia Dandiya adds wave of Broward endorsements in CD 22 bid

A slate of Broward County elected officials is getting behind Democrat Pia Dandiya less than two weeks into her campaign in the newly drawn Florida’s 22nd Congressional District.

Dandiya, a former educator, White House fellow and Apple strategy manager, announced endorsements this week from Broward Mayor Mark Bogen, County Commissioners Nan Rich and Steve Geller, Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook, Sunrise Mayor Mike Ryan, Plantation Mayor Nick Sortal, Coral Springs Commissioner Joshua Simmons, Coconut Creek Commissioner Josh Rydell and former state Sen. Jeremy Ring.

“For decades, I’ve fought alongside Democrats across the state for Florida’s children, families, and the most vulnerable. Pia Dandiya carries those same values into this race,” Rich said.

“A former teacher and high school principal, she has spent her career building opportunity for people who too often get left behind.”

Brook highlighted local priorities that match Dandiya’s platform.

“Broward is a community where great schools, safe streets, and families come first,” he said.

“Pia Dandiya understands what makes communities like ours work — practical, hands-on leadership focused on the people it serves. She has built a committed, well-resourced campaign rooted in the issues that matter most to Florida families — the cost of living, public education, and the rights and freedoms our community cherishes. Pia has my full support.”

The Broward endorsements add to a coalition Dandiya began assembling last week upon shifting her campaign to CD 22 after GOP state lawmakers and Gov. Ron DeSantis pushed through a new congressional map.

That initial wave of endorsements included U.S. Reps. Lois Frankel and Jill Tokuda; Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman; state Sen. Tina Polsky, state Reps. Emily Gregory, Kelly Skidmore, and Debra Tendrich; West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James; former U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan former U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster and Patrick Murphy; and former Palm Beach State Attorney Dave Aronberg;

Organizations backing her include Aspire PAC, EMILY’s List, Vote Mama, Serve America PAC, Democrats for Education Reform, Elect Democratic Women, New Democracy, Indian American IMPACT and AAPI Victory Fund.

“I am honored to have the support of so many leaders who have spent their careers delivering for Broward families,” Dandiya said.

“From City Hall to the County Commission to Tallahassee, these are the people who know what it takes to truly serve families, lower costs, and stand up for the rights and freedoms of every Floridian. Together, we are building the coalition it will take to win the 22nd district and send a representative to Congress who will actually deliver for South Florida.”

Dandiya entered CD 22 with a substantial financial advantage, having raised more than $1.57 million and closed March with $1.17 million in cash on hand — money accumulated during her now-abandoned campaign in Florida’s 21st Congressional District.

CD 22 now runs nearly coast to coast from Marco Island in Southwest Florida to western portions of Palm Beach and Broward counties. It has no incumbent after Democratic U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz opted to instead run in the nearby Florida’s 20th Congressional District.

About 54.6% of voters in new CD 22 supported Trump in 2024, though more than 51% voted for Joe Biden in 2020, making it a genuine swing seat.

Republicans running there, for now, include Deborah Adeimy, David Burck, Michael Carbonara, Daniel Franzese, LaTeresa Jones, Anna Medvedeva, Antonio Srado, Michael Thompson and Herbert Wertheim.

The Primary is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.