Most of Collier County is now in a new U.S. Congressional District – 22 – and that means a new face will represent most voters. The district includes parts of Hendry, Collier, Broward and Palm Beach counties.
While the city of Naples, North Naples and part of Golden Gate remain in District 19, Lely Resort and Marco Island are now in District 22. Everglades City, previously represented by District 26 and 12-term Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart, also is in District 22.
The new district crosses the state through Picayune Strand National Forest, Everglades National Park, Big Cypress National Preserve in Collier County and includes all of Hendry County and parts of inland Broward and Palm Beach counties.
Congressional District 22 is currently represented by Democrat Lois Frankel, who is running in the reconfigured District 23.
Seven Republicans and two Democrats have qualified to run for the seat.
Who’s qualified to run in Democratic primary
Pia Dandiya, of Jupiter in Palm Beach County, was a teacher and most recently a high school principal in Harlem, New York. Dandiya “is determined to make our institutions vehicles for economic freedom and will shift our national paradigm from helping Americans merely survive to helping them to be self-sustaining and thrive,” her website proclaims.
Kaysia Earley, of Plantation in Broward County, is a trial lawyer and former assistant public defender. Earley’s campaign is “built upon the campaign theme of ‘Faith. Family. Future,’ she said in her June 1 candidate announcement. “Earley’s candidacy represents a call to service, unity, and civic responsibility. Earley is launching a people-powered campaign focused on restoring trust, strengthening communities, and creating opportunities for future generations.”
Who’s qualified to run in Republican primary
Casey Askar of Naples in Collier County. Askar describes himself on his website as a “national business leader, philanthropist and U.S Marine veteran who will go to work fixing the economy.” Askar said he is an immigrant who came to the U.S. from Iraq with his family when he was 7 years old, and President Donald Trump supporter.
David Burck, who said he was born in Tampa, raised in South Florida and lives West Palm Beach in Palm Beach County. A former U.S. Marine and officer with the West Palm Beach Police Department, Burck now is a small-business owner.
Michael Carbonara lives in Cooper City in Broward County and was born in Long Island, New York. Carbonara founded a genomics company – Gattaca Genomics – “to help families struggling with infertility.”
Richard Evans lives in Ave Maria in Collier County, having moved to Florida in 2020 from Chicago. A CPA and risk manager, Evans ran unsuccessfully against Diaz-Balart in 2024 in District 26.
Terri Hasdorff, lives in Loxahatchee in Palm Beach County. A small-business owner with an MBA and chair of Republican Federal Women’s Forum. In her book, Running Into the Fire, Hasdorff said she wrote “that inaction is no longer an option. Christians and people of faith must engage with courage to preserve our freedoms and values.”
Belinda Keiser lives in Parkland in Broward County. Keiser is Vice Chancellor of Community Relations and Student Advancement at Keiser University Keiser says on her website that she “has devoted her career to advancing Florida’s economic development, higher education, workforce development and global competitiveness communities.”
Michael Thompson was born in Palm Beach Gardens, raised in Belle Glade and lives in Alva. Thompson is former Lee County Republican Executive Committee chair. He originally declared a campaign to challenge incumbent Tiffany Esposito for Florida House District 77. He officially withdrew from that state legislative race to launch his congressional bid. Thompson has worked as a local Realtor, served as an Alva Fire Commissioner, and founded the SW Florida Heroes Foundation.
The primary elections, scheduled for Aug. 18, will determine which candidates from each party will appear on the November ballot.
Only voters registered with a particular political party can vote in that party’s primary election, but all registered voters may vote in the Nov. 3 election.
This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Collier County’s new Congressional district means new faces
Reporting by J. Kyle Foster, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida / Marco Eagle
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By J. Kyle Foster, USA TODAY NETWORK – Florida | USA TODAY Network
