Former educator, White House Fellow, and community-rooted leader joins growing slate of breakthrough candidates

Today, Square One, which seeks out the most promising Democratic women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community to run for Congress in long-overlooked red districts and states, is proud to endorse Pia Dandiya for Congress in Florida’s 21st Congressional District.

“We’re proud to support Pia because she represents the very best of leadership rooted in service, results, and purpose,” said Tony Vargas, Executive Director of Square One. “From the classroom to national policy, Pia has built a record of delivering real outcomes for families. She understands how to turn ideas into impact — whether it’s helping students succeed, shaping economic mobility policy, or strengthening institutions to better serve people. Just as important, she brings deep roots in the community she’s seeking to represent. Pia is running to serve the community that raised her, with a clear vision and a serious approach to policy and problem-solving.”

Pia Dandiya began her career as a public school teacher, and went on to become a high school principal and school founder in Harlem at just 28, where 86% of her students lived below the poverty line and 100% earned admission to college under her leadership. She later served as a White House Fellow at the Domestic Policy Council, helping shape national strategies on economic mobility and workforce policy to lift families into the middle class. Born and raised in the district she now seeks to represent, Dandiya is the daughter of Indian immigrants, earned her B.A. in Government from Harvard, and lives in Palm Beach Gardens with her husband and son.

“I’m proud to earn Square One’s endorsement because they believe in people-first campaigning and winning with purpose, values that reflect how I’ve served others my entire life,” said Pia Dandiya. “Growing up in Florida and serving students intentionally, I’ve always believed that when you invest deeply in people and meet them where they are, you can unlock real opportunity and change lives. I’m honored to carry that same spirit into this campaign and be part of a movement focused on serving communities with intention and impact. Together, we have an opportunity to write a new chapter in our politics, and I believe Square One will be on the front lines of it.”

Dandiya’s campaign is quickly gaining momentum as voters look for leaders who bring both lived experience and a results-driven approach to public service. With a career focused on expanding opportunity — from the classroom to the White House — she represents a new generation of leadership grounded in community and committed to delivering meaningful change.

“Square One is proud to support Pia because Florida deserves a leader who knows how to build opportunity from the ground up and deliver results that matter in people’s lives.” – Tony Vargas, Executive Director of Square One.

Pia Dandiya is joining the current slate of Square One’s endorsed challenger candidates for the 2026 cycle including: Carol Obando-Derstine (PA-07), Christina Hines (MI-10), Denise Powell (NE-02), JoAnna Mendoza (AZ-01), Randy Villegas (CA-22), Rebecca Bennett (NJ-07), Marni von Wilpert (CA-48), and Bridget Brink (MI-07).

About Square One:

Square One seeks out the most promising Democratic women, people of color, and members of the LGBTQ+ community to run for Congress in long-overlooked red districts and states, and provides the high-impact, hands-on support they need to launch, run, and win their groundbreaking campaigns — against all the odds. Square One has helped elect Rep. Lauren Underwood, Rep. Lucy McBath, Senator Angela Alsobrooks, Senator Ruben Gallego, and more.