WASHINGTON: In a landmark victory that marks a new chapter in Virginia’s political history, Ghazala Hashmi, an Indian-origin Democrat, has been elected as the state’s Lieutenant Governor, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian American to hold the office.
Hashmi, 61, secured a decisive win over her Republican rival John Reid, earning 54.2% of the vote—a total of 1,465,634 ballots—while Reid trailed behind with 1,232,242 votes. Her election adds to a growing list of Indian-American leaders gaining prominence in U.S. politics and is being hailed as a major step forward for representation and diversity in public life.
A Trailblazer in Virginia Politics
Before this victory, Hashmi served as a Virginia State Senator, where she was already the first Muslim and South Asian American in the chamber’s history. Her campaign for Lieutenant Governor drew national attention for its focus on equity, education, reproductive rights, and climate action.
“This victory is not just mine—it belongs to every person who believes that progress and compassion can coexist,” Hashmi said in her victory speech. “Together, we will build a Virginia that uplifts every community, every family, and every child.”
Her supporters, many of whom are part of Virginia’s growing South Asian diaspora, celebrated the result as a moment of pride and empowerment.
Support from Indian-American Community
The Indian American Impact Fund, which supports candidates of South Asian descent, congratulated Hashmi on her historic achievement. The organization revealed that it had invested $175,000 in her campaign to mobilize voters and strengthen grassroots efforts.
“Ghazala Hashmi’s story is the American story,” said Chintan Patel, Executive Director of the Impact Fund. “An immigrant, educator, and advocate, she has fought tirelessly for working families and for the promise of opportunity that defines our democracy.”
From India to Virginia: A Journey of Perseverance
Born in India, Hashmi immigrated to the United States at the age of four, joining her father in Georgia, where he was pursuing a Ph.D. in international relations. Growing up in the American South during the desegregation era, she experienced firsthand the power of education and dialogue to bridge divides—a lesson that continues to shape her politics today.
Hashmi went on to become valedictorian of her high school class before earning her bachelor’s degree with honors from Georgia Southern University and later a Ph.D. in American Literature from Emory University.
After marrying Azhar Hashmi, she settled in Richmond, Virginia, where she built a distinguished academic career spanning nearly three decades. She taught English at the University of Richmond and Reynolds Community College, where she later became the Founding Director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL).
A Record of Public Service
Since first entering politics in 2019, when she flipped a long-held Republican seat, Hashmi has focused on expanding access to healthcare, improving public education, and protecting democratic values. As Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, she championed legislation supporting affordable housing, women’s reproductive rights, and environmental sustainability.
Her rise from an immigrant child in small-town Georgia to one of Virginia’s highest offices has inspired many in the Indian and Muslim communities across the U.S.
A Milestone for Representation
Political analysts say Hashmi’s win is not just a personal triumph but also a milestone in the broader movement for inclusive governance. “Her victory demonstrates the growing influence of South Asian Americans in U.S. politics,” said Dr. Rina Mehta, a political science professor at George Mason University. “It’s also a testament to the fact that representation matters—not just symbolically, but substantively.”
With this victory, Ghazala Hashmi joins the ranks of trailblazing Indian-origin leaders across the United States who are reshaping the political landscape—one historic win at a time.
