Ghazala Hashmi has won Virginia’s lieutenant governor race, marking several firsts milestones along the way.
She is the first Indian American and the first Muslim to win statewide office in the Commonwealth.
With 55.2% of the vote to Republican John Reid’s 44.5%, Hashmi sealed a clear victory on a night of high turnout and close attention.
Why this victory matters
The result is a milestone for representation and a shift in Virginia’s political story.
As lieutenant governor of Virginia, Ghazala Hashmi will preside over the state Senate, an important role with a closely divided chamber.
She succeeds Winsome Earle-Sears and steps into office after running on themes of opportunity, equity, and steady leadership.
Who is Ghazala Hashmi
She is a longtime educator and lawmaker who built her career in Virginia.
Born in Hyderabad, India, Hashmi moved to the United States as a child. She earned a BA from Georgia Southern University and a PhD in American literature from Emory University.
After moving to the Richmond area in 1991, she spent nearly three decades teaching, first at the University of Richmond, then at Reynolds Community College, where she founded the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning.
Hashmi entered elected office in 2019, flipping a Republican-held state Senate seat and helping Democrats win a majority.
In 2024, her colleagues named her chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, reflecting a focus on public education and health policy.
Her legislative priorities have also included voting rights, reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, the environment, housing, and affordable health care.
Campaign in brief
Ghazala Hashmi won a crowded Democratic primary in June with 28% of the vote.
In the general election, she emphasized practical governance and inclusion, while her opponent focused on cultural issues and appeals to conservative voters.
Hashmi’s campaign leaned on a simple message: expand opportunity and protect core rights for Virginians.
As lieutenant governor, ghazala hashmi will guide Senate debates and cast tie-breaking votes when needed.
Her win caps a historic night that also saw high-profile results in New York City where another Muslim candidate Zohran Mamdani won mayoral elections, underscoring the growing visibility of Muslim and South Asian Americans in US politics.
