Pia Dandiya tops $1.16M raised in 2025 as Democrats’ best-funded challenger in CD 21

Democrat Pia Dandiya posted one of the strongest fundraising quarters by a Florida Democratic challenger in recent years, her campaign announced, hauling in more than $381,000 last quarter and topping $1.16 million raised in 2025.

The financial showing cements Dandiya as Democrats’ best-funded challenger to Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Mast in Florida’s 21st Congressional District, where she has raised roughly five times more than her opponents combined.

Her Primary opponents, James Martin and Bernard Taylor, reported about $222,000 and $24,000 in total fundraising, respectively, and hold just under $200,000 cash on hand.

By contrast, Dandiya closed the year with about $929,000 left to spend.

“Raising more than a million dollars in just over two quarters shows exactly how much hunger there is for new leadership in our community,” Dandiya said in a statement.

“Floridians are ready for a representative who puts people over politics and focuses on solving problems, not scoring points. I’m honored and energized by the support we’ve earned across the district from across the political spectrum.”

Mast, meanwhile, reported raising close to $634,000 last quarter and $2.4 million this cycle, Federal Election Commission records show. He had more than $2 million remaining in the bank heading into 2026.

Money is hardly the only big variable in the race; by the time voters go to the polls for August’s Primary and November’s General Election, the bounds of CD 21 and several other districts may have changed due to an April Special Session Gov. Ron DeSantis called on redistricting.

A former high school principal and White House fellow, Dandiya has also rolled out a lengthy endorsement list that spans local, state and national figures.

Her supporters include former U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna of California, West Palm Beach Mayor Keith James, Florida Senate Democratic Leader Lori Berman, state Sen. Tina Scott Polsky, and state Reps. Kelly Skidmore and Debra Tendrich, along with groups such as Elect Democratic Women and Indian American IMPACT.

Former U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, ex-U.S. Reps. Annie Kuster and Patrick Murphy, and former Palm Beach County State Attorney Dave Aronberg are also backing her.

No Republican has filed to challenge Mast, who has more than $2 million on hand to defend the seat he won in 2017.

CD 21 includes all of Martin and St. Lucie counties and part of northern Palm Beach County. The district leans Republican — R+7, per the Cook Political Report — but has pockets of Democratic strength, particularly in suburban communities where education and health care are top concerns.

The 2026 Primary is Aug. 18, followed by the General Election on Nov. 3.