Ghazala Hashmi Elected Virginia Lieutenant Gov., 1st Muslim Woman Statewide/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ morning Edition/ Democrat Ghazala Hashmi is projected to win Virginia’s lieutenant governor’s race, making U.S. history. She will become the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the country. Her victory also cements a Democratic hold on Virginia leadership heading into 2026.
Hashmi’s Historic Win Quick Looks
- Ghazala Hashmi becomes the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in U.S. history.
- She defeats Republican John Reid in Virginia’s lieutenant governor’s race.
- Also becomes the first Indian American elected statewide in Virginia.
- Hashmi will preside over the state Senate and break tie votes.
- Her win maintains a narrow 20-19 Democratic edge in the Senate.
- Hashmi flipped her Senate seat in 2019, helping Democrats take control.
- She campaigned alongside Spanberger and Attorney General nominee Jay Jones.
- Reid focused on culture war issues; Hashmi largely avoided engagement.
- The two candidates never participated in a live, moderated debate.
- Virginia hasn’t elected a split-party governor/lieutenant governor in 20 years.
Ghazala Hashmi Elected Virginia Lieutenant Gov., 1st Muslim Woman Statewide
Deep Look
RICHMOND, Va. — Democrat Ghazala Hashmi has made history by becoming the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the United States. Her projected victory in Virginia’s lieutenant governor’s race also marks her as the first Indian American to win statewide in the commonwealth.
Hashmi’s election comes in a year filled with high political stakes and historic firsts, helping to solidify Democratic control of Virginia’s executive leadership following Abigail Spanberger’s win for governor.
Historic Firsts and Barrier-Breaking Candidacy
Hashmi’s ascent to lieutenant governor is groundbreaking on multiple levels. She will:
- Be the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the U.S.
- Be Virginia’s first Indian American elected statewide
- Preside over the Virginia Senate, holding the power to cast tie-breaking votes
Her win also reinforces the growing diversity within Democratic leadership, particularly in southern states where such representation has been historically limited.
Hashmi first gained statewide attention in 2019 when she defeated a Republican incumbent to win a state Senate seat, helping Democrats flip the chamber. She was also the first Muslim and Indian American elected to the state Senate.
Key Role in a Narrow Senate
Hashmi’s victory has direct implications for legislative control. With her departure from the Senate chamber, Democrats will maintain a narrow 20-19 majority. As lieutenant governor, Hashmi will now have the authority to break Senate ties, a role that could prove pivotal in closely contested policy debates.
Virginia remains one of just 17 states where lieutenant governors are elected separately from governors. Though elected independently, lieutenant governors often run as unofficial running mates with their party’s gubernatorial candidate. Hashmi campaigned alongside Abigail Spanberger and Attorney General nominee Jay Jones, forming a unified Democratic front during the general election.
Stance on Trump, Public Service, and Diversity
Hashmi campaigned on resistance to Donald Trump’s second administration, emphasizing policies she believes threaten Virginia’s civil service workforce and public education. Her political journey was inspired by the first Trump administration’s Muslim ban, a move that motivated her 2019 run for public office.
While her opponent, Republican John Reid, centered his campaign around cultural issues such as transgender rights, education policy, and “parental rights,” Hashmi largely stayed focused on governing priorities, public service, and inclusive leadership.
Reid, a former conservative talk radio host, also made headlines as the first openly gay Republican nominee for statewide office in Virginia. He attempted to leverage issues like school curriculum, government overreach, and labor laws to rally support. Despite backing from the conservative base, he did not receive an endorsement from President Trump, which may have hindered turnout among hardline supporters.
Campaign Tactics and Debate Controversy
Hashmi’s campaign avoided engaging with Reid’s rhetoric, opting instead to stay on message. This strategy appeared to pay off, as she maintained a steady lead throughout the final weeks of the race. One of the race’s more unusual moments came when the two candidates never met in a formal debate. In response, Reid participated in a mock debate with an AI-generated avatar of Hashmi — a move that drew more mockery than momentum.
Hashmi won the Democratic primary in June, edging out five challengers with just 28% of the vote. Despite a divided field, she quickly consolidated support and aligned her platform with key statewide Democratic themes.
Navigating Controversy
Hashmi’s general election campaign was briefly complicated by controversy surrounding Attorney General nominee Jay Jones, who faced calls to drop out after past violent text messages surfaced. Hashmi, like most Virginia Democrats, condemned the remarks but did not call for Jones to withdraw. The episode did not appear to significantly impact her momentum or polling.
From Educator to Statewide Leader
Before entering politics, Hashmi was an educator and college administrator, known for her work in Virginia’s community college system. She built her political identity around public service, equity, and representation, leveraging her unique background to bridge political divides in a rapidly diversifying state.
With her election, Hashmi joins a small but growing group of Muslim Americans in state leadership roles and is expected to play a significant role in shaping Democratic policy priorities heading into 2026 and beyond.
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