US Democrat Ghazala Hashmi Ghazala Hashmi just made history. She’s now the first Muslim woman to win the race for Virginia’s lieutenant governor. It’s a big moment — not just for her, but for representation and inclusion across the U.S.
Ghazala Hashmi Wins the Race for Lieutenant Governor
Hashmi’s win as Virginia’s lieutenant governor is historic — she’s the first Indian American ever elected to statewide office in Virginia, and in fact, the first Muslim woman to hold such a position anywhere in the United States.
In her victory speech, she told supporters, “Together, we have carved a new historic path,” reflecting on her journey from a young immigrant to a leader representing millions. Hashmi called her win proof of the “depth and breadth of opportunity” possible in both America and Virginia.
Hashmi’s Early Life in India and Move to the U.S.
Hashmi was born in India and moved to the United States when she was just four years old. Her family joined her father in Statesboro, Georgia, where he was completing his Ph.D. and beginning a university teaching career.
Growing Up During School Desegregation
In 1970s Georgia, schools were just beginning to desegregate, and Hashmi attended a public “Laboratory School” designed for teachers-in-training. She often stood out as the only South Asian child in her classes.
Those experiences taught her the importance of understanding, inclusion, and bridging divides.
She has said that seeing her community navigate integration firsthand helped her understand how dialogue and empathy can build stronger, fairer communities.
At home, the Hashmi family often discussed politics, history, and world affairs around the dinner table. Those conversations sparked her interest in civic life from a young age.
The Muslim Ban That Inspired Her to Run for Office
The Trump administration’s Muslim travel ban was a turning point for Hashmi. She recalls feeling deeply troubled and questioning whether she still belonged in the country she had called home for nearly 50 years.
Rather than retreating, she decided to act. She ran for office to prove that Muslim Americans are an essential part of the U.S. story. Her campaign slogan, “Ghazala Hashmi is an American name,” captured that message of belonging and pride.
Hashmi’s First Election Win in 2019
In 2019, Hashmi ran as a Democrat for Virginia’s 10th Senate District and defeated the incumbent Republican, helping Democrats take control of the state Senate. That victory made her the first Muslim American woman ever elected to the Virginia legislature.
Hashmi’s Role and Impact as Lieutenant Governor
Now, with her election as Virginia’s lieutenant governor, Hashmi has made history again — becoming both the first Muslim and the first Indian American to hold a statewide office in the Commonwealth. Though the lieutenant governor’s duties are limited, the role is significant: she presides over the state Senate and is next in line to succeed the governor.
Now, being lieutenant governor, Hashmi marks her journey from a small town in Georgia to Virginia’s Capitol — reflecting the power of representation and the importance of inclusion in public life.
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