Ghazala Hashmi, the first Muslim woman elected as the lieutenant governor of Virginia: Here’s everything you need to know about her campaign, family, and journey

Democratic state Senator Ghazala Hashmi has made history as the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the United States. Various predictions and polls, including the Fox News Decision Desk and CNN projections, have confirmed that Hashmi will become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor, following a victory over Republican John Reid, the state’s first openly gay statewide nominee.

Her campaign emphasized key Democratic priorities, including Medicaid expansion, environmental protection, climate action, and affordable housing. Hashmi also expressed her intention to lead a repeal of Virginia’s “Right to Work” law, which prevents mandatory union membership as a condition of employment.

Who is Ghazala Hashmi?

Born in Hyderabad, India, Hashmi emigrated to the United States at age four, joining her father in Georgia while he completed a Ph.D. in international relations. She grew up in Georgia, excelling academically as the valedictorian of her high school class, and later earned her undergraduate degree with honors from Georgia Southern University.

Hashmi went on to complete a Ph.D. in American literature at Emory University in Atlanta, solidifying her credentials as a scholar.

Hashmi built a nearly three-decade career in academia after moving to the Richmond area with her husband, Azhar Rafiq, in 1991. She served as a professor at the University of Richmond and J. Sergeant Reynolds Community College, where she founded and directed the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. Her experience as a public educator became a cornerstone of her political messaging. She and her husband, Azhar, have been married for over three decades and have two daughters.

Entering politics in 2019, Hashmi flipped a Republican-held state Senate seat in Chesterfield County, becoming the first South Asian to serve in the Virginia Senate. During her tenure, she earned recognition as Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee and focused on expanding access to public education, healthcare, and reproductive rights.

Hashmi largely avoided traditional debates with her opponent. In response, Reid released a 45-minute AI-generated mock debate highlighting her policy positions. Despite this unconventional approach, Hashmi’s campaign resonated with voters.

Hashmi also spoke out on national politics during her campaign, critiquing President Donald Trump and predicting that a potential second term would be “worse than the first,” accusing him of surrounding himself with “villainous creatures.”