Florida’s newly redrawn 22nd Congressional District is entering a pivotal election season, with Democratic and Republican candidates competing to represent communities across Broward, Collier, Hendry and Palm Beach counties. The Aug. 18, 2026, primary is an opportunity for voters to decide who they believe is prepared to address the issues affecting their everyday lives, including affordability, property insurance, housing, health care, education, immigration and public safety. With candidates from business, education, law, military service and community advocacy, voters have several different visions for the district’s future to consider.
At Hy-Lo News, we believe our community deserves to know who is asking for their vote and what each candidate plans to accomplish in Congress. District 22’s next representative will help shape federal policies and funding decisions that directly affect South Florida families, businesses and neighborhoods. Below, we have compiled a guide to the candidates and their priorities to help you head to the ballot box informed and prepared.
Democratic Candidates
Pia Dandiya
Pia Dandiya is a Palm Beach County native, former teacher, high school principal, White House fellow and technology executive. The daughter of Indian immigrants, she founded and led a public high school serving primarily low-income students before working on education policy at the White House and leading public-sector initiatives at Apple. Dandiya holds degrees from Harvard University and Boston University and is seeking the Democratic nomination for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District.
Dandiya’s campaign focuses on lowering housing, property insurance, health care, prescription drug and child care costs for South Florida families. Her priorities include protecting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid and veterans benefits, strengthening public schools, funding universal prekindergarten and expanding career-training opportunities. She also supports reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ equality, Everglades restoration and government reforms such as banning members of Congress from trading individual stocks.
Learn more here: Campaign Website
Kaysia Earley
Kaysia Earley is an attorney, humanitarian and community advocate who earned her bachelor’s degree in political science from Howard University and her law degree from St. Thomas University School of Law. A former assistant public defender and founder of Earley Law Firm, she says she has tried more than 100 cases to verdict and has spent her career defending constitutional rights. Earley also founded Seeds of Manna, a nonprofit focused on disaster relief, food distribution, education and mentorship.
Earley’s campaign focuses on lowering the cost of living, expanding affordable health care and protecting Social Security and Medicare. Her priorities include property insurance reform, affordable housing, support for law enforcement and first responders, school safety and tax relief for working families and small businesses. She also supports expanding mental health and veterans services, improving transportation infrastructure and protecting constitutional rights.
Learn more here: Campaign Website
Republican Candidates
Casey Askar
Casey Askar is a businessman, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, philanthropist and father of seven seeking the Republican nomination for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District. Born in Iraq, he came to the United States as a child and later built businesses in franchising, commercial real estate, energy and construction. Askar serves as chairman and CEO of Askar Family Office and previously ran for Florida’s 19th Congressional District in 2020.
Askar’s campaign focuses on strengthening the economy, reducing federal spending and expanding job opportunities. His priorities include lowering taxes and regulations, increasing domestic energy production, securing the border, supporting law enforcement and expanding parental involvement and educational opportunities. He also emphasizes military strength, election security, affordable health care and protecting constitutional rights.
Learn more here: Campaign Website
David Burck
David Burck is a Florida native, U.S. Marine Corps veteran, former West Palm Beach police officer, real estate professional and small-business owner. He served in the Marine Corps Military Police before joining the West Palm Beach Police Department, where he worked in patrol and gang enforcement. Burck says his military, law-enforcement and business experience prepared him to represent Florida’s 22nd Congressional District.
Burck’s campaign focuses on affordability, public safety, states’ rights and limiting the reach of the federal government. His priorities include securing the border, supporting law enforcement, reducing government spending and regulations and strengthening local businesses. He also supports congressional term limits and says federal policies should preserve individual liberties and give states greater control over local concerns.
Learn more here: Campaign Website
Michael Carbonara
Michael Carbonara is a South Florida businessman, entrepreneur and father of two seeking the Republican nomination for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District. His professional background includes work in finance, technology, banking, cryptocurrency and fertility care. Carbonara says his experience building businesses and creating jobs would guide his approach to economic policy in Congress.
Carbonara’s campaign focuses on economic growth, national security, education, health care, immigration and constitutional rights. His priorities include lowering taxes and regulations, strengthening domestic manufacturing and energy production, securing the border and expanding parental choice in education. He also supports lowering health care costs, protecting Second Amendment rights and imposing term limits on members of Congress.
Learn more here: Campaign Website
Richard Evans
Richard “Rich” Evans is a certified public accountant, commercial insurance auditor and risk manager seeking the Republican nomination for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District. His professional experience includes auditing energy and transportation companies, agricultural operations and school districts for financial compliance and operational risk. Evans previously ran for Florida’s 26th Congressional District in 2024 and officially qualified for the District 22 race in June 2026.
Evans’ campaign focuses on fiscal responsibility, government accountability and greater transparency in Congress. His priorities include reducing wasteful spending, passing lean federal budgets on time, strengthening public safety and supporting local economies. He also supports congressional term limits and says elected officials should face measurable standards and consequences when they fail to fulfill their responsibilities.
Learn more here: Campaign Website
Terri Hasdorff
Terri Hasdorff is a business owner, government-relations professional, author and former executive director of the Alabama Republican Party. She founded Capitol Solutions, a consulting firm focused on government affairs, nonprofit organizations and faith-based initiatives. Hasdorff previously ran for Congress in Alabama in 2020 and is now seeking the Republican nomination for Florida’s 22nd Congressional District.
Hasdorff’s campaign focuses on affordability, border security, parental rights and government accountability. Her priorities include addressing Florida’s property insurance crisis, strengthening hurricane preparedness, increasing domestic energy production and reducing federal waste, fraud and abuse. She also supports Second Amendment rights, restrictions on abortion, protections for religious liberty and safeguards against offshore drilling near Florida’s beaches.
Learn more here: Campaign Website
Belinda Keiser
Belinda Keiser is an education executive, entrepreneur and workforce-development advocate who serves as vice chancellor of Keiser University. Her public-service experience includes appointments to Space Florida, the Florida Constitution Revision Commission, the Florida Commission on the Status of Women and the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet. Keiser was also a Florida presidential elector in 2020 and 2024 and previously ran for the Florida Senate in 2018.
Keiser’s campaign emphasizes workforce development, economic growth, education and advancing President Donald Trump’s policy agenda. She has highlighted strengthening career education, connecting students with employers, supporting law enforcement and expanding opportunities for Florida businesses and workers. Her campaign also supports border security, lower taxes, limited government and policies intended to reduce costs for families.
Learn more here: Campaign Website
Michael Thompson
Michael Thompson is a real estate broker, former Lee County Republican Executive Committee chairman and former Alva Fire Control and Rescue Service District commissioner. Born in Palm Beach Gardens and raised in Belle Glade, he studied business administration at Palm Beach State College before beginning a career in real estate. Thompson later founded his own brokerage and became active in Republican politics and organizations supporting veterans.
Thompson describes himself as an “America First” candidate focused on supporting President Donald Trump’s agenda and challenging career politicians. He has publicly supported congressional term limits and has emphasized election oversight, government accountability and conservative constitutional principles. His campaign website remains under development and does not currently provide a comprehensive issue-by-issue platform.
Learn more here: Campaign Website
VOTER INFO BOX
- Election Day: Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2026
- Poll Hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Where to Vote: District 22 voters must vote at their assigned precinct in Broward, Collier, Hendry or Palm Beach County.
- Registration Deadline: The deadline to register or change party affiliation was July 20. Florida is a closed-primary state.
Early Voting: Dates and hours vary by county.
- Broward County: Aug. 8-16, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Collier County: Aug. 8-15, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Palm Beach County: Aug. 8-16, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Hendry County: Voters should confirm dates, hours and locations through the Hendry County Supervisor of Elections.
Vote by Mail: Requests for ballots to be mailed must be received by 5 p.m. Aug. 6. Completed ballots must be received by the appropriate county supervisor of elections by 7 p.m. on Election Day. Postmarks do not count.
Visit BrowardVotes.gov, CollierVotes.gov, HendryElections.org or VotePalmBeach.gov for voting locations and additional information.
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