Hyderabad-born Ghazala Hashmi wrote a new chapter in Virginia’s political history with her swearing in as the state’s first Indian American Lieutenant Governor.
The first person of Indian descent to win a statewide office in Virginia and the first Muslim woman to be elected statewide in the U.S. took the oath of office by placing her hand on the Quran with her husband and daughters witnessing the historic moment.
The oath of office was administered by Virginia Supreme Court Chief Justice Cleo Powell during an inauguration ceremony on Jan. 17 at the Virginia State Capitol in Richmond.
Hashmi, 61, a Democrat who defeated Republican John Reid in the November 2025 election, succeeds Winsome Earle-Sears and will serve as President of the Virginia Senate and preside over Senate proceedings.
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“Today, I was incredibly honored to take my Oath of Office as the 43rd Lieutenant Governor of Virginia,” she posted on X after her inauguration. “I look forward to working alongside our Governor and administration to build a Commonwealth focused on affordability, opportunity, dignity, and justice..”
Born in Hyderabad, India, in 1964, Hashmi spent her early childhood in the Malakpet area before moving to the U.S. at the age of four.
Prior to taking office as Lieutenant Governor, Hashmi served in the Virginia State Senate representing the 15th District.
First elected in 2019, she built a reputation as a thoughtful, effective legislator focused on strengthening public education, expanding access to affordable healthcare, protecting reproductive freedom, and advancing economic opportunity, according to her official profile.
During her tenure, she played a key role in securing historic investments in K–12 and higher education, supporting working families, and defending civil rights for all Virginians.
The daughter of immigrants from India, who instilled in her the values of education and civic responsibility, Hashmi earned her undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern University, a master’s degree from the University of Virginia, and a PhD in American Studies from Emory University.
She spent decades teaching at Virginia’s community colleges, where she became a trusted advocate for students, faculty, and workforce development.
Before her election to the State Senate, Hashmi was deeply engaged in community leadership, serving on local boards and commissions and working closely with parents, educators, and civic leaders to strengthen public education and expand opportunity.
Her professional career has been defined by a commitment to ensuring that the government reflects and responds to the people it serves.
As Lt. Gov., Hashmi says she is focused on working with Gov. Abigail Spanberger and the General Assembly to build a forward-looking Commonwealth: one that invests in education, protects fundamental freedoms, and ensures that every Virginian has the opportunity to thrive.