USA (Commonwealth Union)_ Democrat Ghazala Hashmi made history, becoming Virginia’s next lieutenant governor and the first Indian American and Muslim ever elected to statewide office in the state. She defeated Republican John Reid, a well-known Richmond broadcaster, in a race that drew national attention. Hashmi currently serves as a state senator representing a district just south of Richmond. She first entered the General Assembly in 2019 after flipping a long-held Republican seat, a victory that quickly elevated her profile within Virginia politics. Her latest win marks another major step in a state that has seen sharp political swings over the past decade.
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In her remarks to supporters, Hashmi thanked voters for placing their confidence in what she called “a Virginia that welcomes its diversity and believes in its shared future.” She spoke about her background as the daughter of immigrants and her long career in education, saying those experiences shaped her understanding of fairness, opportunity, and public service. “Our strength comes from listening to each other,” she said, “and making sure every Virginian has a chance to succeed.” Throughout the campaign, Hashmi backed a series of progressive goals, including an effort to repeal Virginia’s Right to Work law, which she argues weakens protections for workers.
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Hashmi also did not shy away from sharp critiques of President Donald Trump, now in his second term, accusing his administration of deepening political division and surrounding itself with “harmful influences.” As lieutenant governor, Hashmi will play a key role in the legislative process, presiding over the state Senate and helping steer bills through a chamber where Democrats hold only a narrow edge. Party leaders see her as part of the next wave of Democratic leadership in a state still defining its political identity. Hashmi’s victory also carries symbolic weight. She is now the first Indian American, the first Muslim, and the first South Asian to hold statewide office in Virginia.
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Born in Hyderabad, India, and raised in Georgia, she built a career in higher education before entering politics. She earned a doctorate in American literature from Emory University and later taught at the University of Richmond and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, where she led its Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. During the campaign, she emphasized expanding access to public education, protecting abortion rights, strengthening Medicaid, and pushing for environmental and housing reforms, issues she says reflect the needs of a rapidly changing Virginia.
