Que?! In the hotly contested toss-up congressional race between corporate lobbyist Pia Dandiya (D) and Marine Veteran and businessman Casey Askar (R), both of the respective campaigns believe that courting the Hispanic vote is the key to victory in the 2026 midterm elections.
With about 30 percent of the voting electorate in the district being Hispanic or Latino, both Dandiya and Askar are probably right.
Dandiya, through what appears to be a joint finance committee, has cut an ad with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) pushing the same message in Spanish as they are in English.
The Dandiya Ad
The ad "Chances" states that Dandiya will reach across the aisle to work for everyday Americans, but offers no specific solutions, while attacking Askar as being a "shady" businessman who has been sued and accused of withholding employee wages.
Askar's Spanish language appears to be sharper and hard-hitting, especially because of the large number of Venezuelan, Colombian, and Cuban residents that make up the diasporas of each of those countries.
The ad targets Dandiya's assertion that the U.S. military operation to arrest the corrupt and murderous Venezuelan Dictator, Nicolas Maduro, was simply a "Venezuela invasion" and just a "distraction."
The Askar AD
The political mailer that accompanies the TV advertisement asked the question, "Where does she stand on Maduro?" in both English and Spanish. The ad also points out the oppression Maduro and the late Fidel Castro have imposed on Latin America, and mentions that Hispanics and Latinos in South Florida know the real "cost of Socialism."
According to "Mario Doe" a Venezuelan business owner in Weston, Florida, who asked that we not disclose her identity for fear of economic repercussions. Dandiya's belief that Maduro's arrest was simply a "Venezuela invasion" and speaks to her "ignorance" and her probable "support for Socialism."
"What an ignorant woman. She obviously does not understand the Latino community and is probably a Socialist who is in support of Socialism," said Maria. "My brother was jailed by Maduro. My father was harassed and persecuted by Chavez and Maduro. We (Venezuelan community) welcomed his arrest because we are here because of Maduro's Socialist Chavista government. There are thousands of Venezuelans here who know someone, or know of someone that has been jailed, beaten, or murdered by Maduro. (This statement was translated from Spanish)
The TV ad, which appears to be in partnership with the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) paints an ominous image of Dandiya aligning herself with Democratic Socialists Sen. Bernie Sanders and members of the House Progressive "Squad," Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib. (VIDEO)
The ad also issues a call to action for voters, telling them to "reject the radical Pia Dandiya," adding that she would be just another vote for Socialists if elected to the House of Representatives.
Florida's 22nd District leans Republican, but as we mention above, it is now considered a "toss-up" considering the current state of the U.S. economy.
But while Democrats, who have been spending millions in dark money against Askar, feel that this seat is in play for them, Republicans appear ready to dig in and defend the seat.
Between the Democratic House Majority PAC and a couple other smaller Independent Expenditure groups, som $11 million has been spent to undercut Askar. Now Republicans have countered and have dumped in a little over $7 million in support of Askar, but mainly opposition to Dandiya.
