Indian-origin Ghazala Hashmi makes history, winning Virginia’s hearts.
Ghazala Hashmi, a trailblazer, becomes Virginia’s first Muslim and South Asian American senator, inspiring countless voices across communities.
New York: In a defining moment for American politics, India-born Ghazala Hashmi has been elected as the Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, becoming the first Muslim and South Asian American to hold the state’s second-highest office. Her historic victory marks a new chapter not only for Virginia but also for countless immigrants who see in her story the embodiment of resilience, hope, and belonging.
Hashmi, 61, a Democrat and longtime educator, secured an impressive 1,465,634 votes — 54.2 per cent of the total — defeating her Republican rival John Reid, who trailed with 1,232,242 votes. With nearly 79 per cent of the ballots counted, Hashmi’s lead was decisive, underscoring a clear mandate from the people of Virginia who turned out in large numbers to back her message of unity, inclusion, and progress.
Her election was among the most closely watched contests in the 2025 U.S. elections. Hashmi was one of over 30 Indian-American and South Asian candidates running for key positions across the nation, reflecting the growing political influence of the community. But her race stood out — a woman of colour, a Muslim, and an immigrant, vying for one of the top positions in a state with a complex racial and political history.
“Tonight, Virginia made history,” Hashmi said in her victory speech, her voice steady yet emotional. “We’ve shown that hope can triumph over fear, that unity can defeat division, and that every child — no matter where they come from — can dream of leading this great Commonwealth.”
Hashmi’s win is not just symbolic; it is a testament to her decades of service and steadfast advocacy for education, equality, and justice. According to her official profile, her legislative priorities include strengthening public education, expanding access to affordable healthcare, protecting reproductive rights, ensuring voting access, combating gun violence, addressing environmental challenges, and securing affordable housing for all Virginians.
“As an experienced educator and advocate for inclusive values and social justice, her focus has always been on building communities that care,” the statement read.
Her campaign received significant backing from Indian American Impact Fund, a political organization committed to empowering South Asian leaders. The group invested USD 175,000 to mobilize voters and boost representation across government levels. “She represents what is best about America — the belief that our differences can strengthen, not divide us.”
Born in Hyderabad, India, Hashmi moved to the United States as a young girl. She grew up in a small college town in Georgia at a time when public schools were undergoing desegregation. Those formative years deeply influenced her worldview, shaping her commitment to dialogue, inclusion, and bridging divides — cultural, racial, and socioeconomic.
“She saw firsthand how communities could be built through understanding and intentional effort,” her campaign team noted, emphasizing how those early experiences molded her approach to leadership.
An academic at heart, Hashmi graduated as valedictorian of her high school class before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree with honours from Georgia Southern University. She later completed her Ph.D. in American Literature at Emory University in Atlanta, focusing her scholarship on narratives of identity and belonging — themes that now resonate powerfully in her political journey.
Hashmi and her husband, Azhar, moved to Richmond, Virginia, in 1991 as newlyweds. Over the next three decades, she taught at the University of Richmond and later at Reynolds Community College, where she also served as the Founding Director of the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL). Her leadership there was marked by her dedication to mentorship, innovation, and equity in education.
Her political career began in 2019 when she ran for the Virginia Senate — a race few believed she could win. Yet, Hashmi defied expectations, defeating a Republican incumbent and helping Democrats gain a majority for the first time in years. That victory was hailed as a breakthrough for women and minorities in Virginia politics, setting the stage for her rapid rise.
Now, as Lieutenant Governor, Hashmi stands as a symbol of progress — a woman who once navigated the complexities of immigration and identity, now helping shape the very state she made her home. “This win is not just mine,” she said in her closing remarks, addressing a crowd of cheering supporters. “It belongs to every little girl who was told she didn’t belong, to every immigrant who dared to dream, and to every Virginian who believes that our best days are still ahead.”
With her hand on her heart and eyes brimming with emotion, Ghazala Hashmi promised to serve “with integrity, empathy, and courage.” And as Virginia begins a new political chapter, her journey stands as a shining reminder — that the American dream, though hard-won, is still alive and possible.