Who is Ghazala Hashmi? First Indian-origin Muslim Lt Governor of Virginia

In a historic victory, Ghazala Hashmi has become the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the United States, winning the Virginia lieutenant governor's race.

Hashmi, a Democrat, secured a comfortable victory over her Republican rival, John Reid, a radio show host. In her victory speech, she thanked her supporters and stated, "Together, we have carved a new historic path,” NBC News reported.

Later in her speech, she said, "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.”

Earlier in 2019, Hashmi became the first Muslim American woman elected to Virginia's Legislature, and she has since represented a district southwest of Washington, D.C., in the statehouse.

Who is Ghazala Hashmi?

Born on July 5, 1964, in Hyderabad, Hashmi moved to the United States with her family at the age of four. She grew up in Georgia and pursued higher education, earning a BA with honours from Georgia Southern University. She later completed her PhD in American literature from Emory University, Atlanta.

Hashmi's professional life began as a professor, teaching at the University of Richmond and Reynolds Community College. Her entry into politics was inspired by President Donald Trump's 2017 travel ban targeting Muslim-majority nations, which motivated her to defend inclusion, democracy, and justice in the country.

She has been married to Azhar Rafiq for more than 30 years, and the couple has two daughters, Yasmin and Noor. Since the 1990s, the Hashmi family has lived in the Richmond area. Rafiq and Hashm relocated to the Richmond area in 1991 as newlyweds after their marriage in the late 1980s.

Legislative Agenda

As lieutenant governor, Hashmi's top priorities include safeguarding reproductive rights, ensuring access to contraception, and promoting public education, voting rights, and affordable healthcare.

Her legislative agenda also focuses on environmental protection, housing access, and gun control measures, such as a ban on assault weapons and universal background checks.

Hashmi's vision is rooted in community-led policymaking that promotes social justice and equitable opportunity.