Pete Buttigieg to Campaign in Plantation This October
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg will join candidate Pia Dandiya for a canvassing launch in Plantation on October 26.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Elections
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Pete Buttigieg is set to support Democrat Pia Dandiya at a campaign event in Plantation on October 26. Dandiya is currently running against Republican Casey Askar to represent Florida's 22nd congressional district.
Why it matters
The visit highlights the high stakes of the 22nd district race as candidates enter the final days before the November 3 election. Both campaigns have drawn significant outside spending and internal resources in a district shaped by recent redistricting.
Republicans hold a 38,500-voter advantage in the redrawn 22nd district, where 55% of voters backed Donald Trump in 2024. As of October 14, Casey Askar reported $1,881,186.94 in cash on hand, significantly outpacing Pia Dandiya's $735,105.23.
The players
Pete Buttigieg
He is the United States Secretary of Transportation who previously served as the mayor of South Bend, Indiana.
Pia Dandiya
She is a Democratic candidate for Florida's 22nd congressional district and is a participant in the DCCC Red to Blue program.
Casey Askar
He is the Republican candidate challenging for the seat in Florida's 22nd congressional district.
Donald Trump
He is the current President of the United States.
The details
The race features heavy financial activity, with the No Going Back PAC spending $5.91 million against Dandiya and the House Majority PAC spending $7.84 million against Askar. Askar has bolstered his campaign with $6.69 million in personal loans.
Timeline
Spring 2026: Florida Legislature redrew congressional district lines
August 2026: Public poll gave Dandiya a two-point lead
October 14, 2026: Campaigns reported cash on hand totals
October 26, 2026: Buttigieg appears with Dandiya in Plantation
November 3, 2026: Election day
Political Context
This race mirrors broader trends seen in the DCCC Red to Blue program, which targets districts where national party investment is necessary to overcome local partisan gaps. Opponents often argue that such nationalized efforts fail to account for the specific local concerns of voters in newly drawn districts.
Residents in the 22nd district should note that the final window for mandatory early voting occurs between October 24 and October 31. This election will determine which candidate represents the local community in Congress following the 2026 boundary changes.
The takeaway
Voters are encouraged to review the specific changes to their district boundaries that took effect in early 2026 to ensure they know their correct polling location. Engaging with early voting options can help residents avoid potential long lines on election day.
What happens next
Mandatory early voting in Florida begins on October 24 and concludes on October 31, followed by general election day on November 3.
Further reading
For more on the local election, visit Plantation Elections.
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