NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Richmond, VA, June 18, 2025: Virginia State Senator Ghazala Hashmi has won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, marking a historic moment in the state’s political landscape. Hashmi, who currently represents the 15th District in the Virginia Senate, is the first Indian American and the first Muslim to be nominated for statewide office in Virginia.
Hashmi emerged victorious in a crowded six-way primary held on Tuesday, narrowly defeating former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney by less than one percent of the vote—a margin of about 3,500 votes. Her nomination adds to a diverse Democratic ticket that includes U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger for governor and former Delegate Jay Jones for attorney general.
“I am deeply honored by the trust Virginia voters have placed in me,” Hashmi said in a statement following the win. “This is a win for inclusion, equity, and the belief that everyone deserves a seat at the table.”
Born in Hyderabad, India, Hashmi immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of five. She was raised in Georgia and earned a Ph.D. in English from Emory University before settling in Richmond. Prior to entering politics, she had a long academic career, serving as a professor and as the founding director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.
Hashmi first made political history in 2019 when she unseated a Republican incumbent to become the first Muslim woman elected to the Virginia Senate. Since then, she has been a prominent voice on education, healthcare, and civil rights. In the General Assembly, she has championed legislation to protect access to contraception, expand Medicaid, and invest in public education.
In the general election on November 4, 2025, Hashmi will face Republican nominee John Reid, a conservative radio host who would become Virginia’s first openly gay statewide officeholder if elected.
With the potential to become the first Muslim and South Asian to hold statewide office in Virginia, Hashmi’s candidacy is being closely watched as a barometer of the state’s shifting political dynamics and growing diversity.
