Ghazala Hashmi has made history by becoming the first Muslim woman elected to a state-level office in the United States after winning Virginia’s lieutenant governor race. Representing the Democratic Party, Hashmi defeated Republican candidate John Reid in a closely watched contest that underscores the growing diversity of American politics.
As lieutenant governor, she will preside over the Virginia Senate and hold the power to cast tie-breaking votes—a responsibility that could be pivotal given the Democrats’ narrow majority.
Hashmi, first elected to the Virginia Senate in 2019, has built her political career on advocating for civil rights, education reform, women’s empowerment, and the protection of minority communities. Her victory is being celebrated nationwide as a breakthrough moment for inclusion and representation in U.S. governance.