Ghazala Hashmi, a Democrat from Virginia, has made history by becoming the first Muslim woman elected to a statewide office in the United States. Her election as lieutenant governor marks a significant milestone in American politics.
In her victory speech, Hashmi stated, “This was possible because of the depth and breadth of the opportunities made available in this country and in this commonwealth.”
Born in Hyderabad, India, Hashmi immigrated to the United States as a child with her mother and brother to join her father, who was teaching at Georgia Southern University in Savannah. She later earned a doctorate in literature from Emory University and dedicated nearly three decades to her career as a professor and college administrator in Virginia.
Hashmi’s political journey began in 2019, when she won a State Senate seat that had long been held by a Republican, becoming the first Muslim woman to serve in the Virginia State Senate.
“I first was compelled to run for office because I wanted to respond rather than quietly observe the targeting and scapegoating of marginalized communities,” Hashmi remarked on Tuesday night. “I decided to run for public office because no one in this country should be made to feel as though they are not welcome in their neighborhoods or in their own communities.”
During her campaign, Hashmi encountered criticism related to her faith, including Islamophobic comparisons to New York City’s Muslim mayor, Zohran Mamdani. This criticism was met with strong denunciations from both Hashmi and Muslim leaders throughout Virginia.
The historical significance of Hashmi’s election is underscored by her commitment to represent and advocate for marginalized communities, making her win a pivotal moment in the landscape of American governance.
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