Hyderabad, India-born Virginia state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi made history Tuesday become the first Muslim American woman elected to statewide office in the U.S. with her victory in the lieutenant governor’s race.
With 96.5% votes counted, Hashmi, 61, had an unbeatable 55.6% vote share over rival Republican talk radio host and political strategist John Reid.
In a victory speech Tuesday night, Hashmi thanked her supporters and told them, “Together, we have carved a new historic path.”
Hashmi, an immigrant, added later in her speech, “My own journey from a young child landing at the airport in Savannah to now being elected as the first Muslim woman to achieve statewide office — the first Muslim woman to achieve statewide office not just in Virginia, but in the entire country … was possible because of the depth and the breadth of the opportunities made available in this country and in this commonwealth.”
READ: From Hyderabad to history: Ghazala Hashmi elected Virginia lieutenant governor (
It’s the second time Hashmi has made history in an election; in 2019 she was the first Muslim American woman elected to Virginia’s Legislature. Since then, she has served in the statehouse representing a district southwest of Washington, D.C.
Last month, Hashmi told The Washington Post that she hoped voters would send a message showing that they’re “not divided” on “lines of bigotry.”
“We’re really showing the rest of the country that Virginia is in a position where we embrace diversity,” she said.
“Lieutenant Governor-elect Hashmi ran a brilliantly focused campaign all about lowering costs, growing Virginia’s economy, and ensuring our kids have access to high-quality child care and education,” Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin stated.
READ: Ghazala Hashmi vows to keep fighting for Virginia workers (
Hashmi moved to the United States when she was four years old. She graduated as valedictorian of her high school class, earned her bachelor’s degree from Georgia Southern University, and later received a doctorate in American literature from Emory University.
The lieutenant governor of Virginia presides over the state Senate and casts tie-breaking votes. The position is also first in line to succeed the governor in case of a vacancy.
Hashmi narrowly won the Democratic primary in June, defeating former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and state Sen. Aaron Rouse. She drew support from the progressive wing of the Democratic Party and received backing from Rep. Ro Khanna of California during the primary.