RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia’s political landscape is set to make history with the nomination of Sen. Ghazala Hashmi for lieutenant governor by the Democratic Party on Wednesday.
Hashmi’s victory marks a significant milestone as she becomes the first Muslim and first Indian-American to be nominated for a statewide office in Virginia after edging out five other candidates, including fellow Democrat Levar Stoney, by less than a percentage point in an incredibly tight primary race.
Stoney graciously congratulated Hashmi on her win in a concession statement following the tumultuous primary.
Now, Hashmi will face Republican John Reid, who is poised to become the first openly gay man to receive a major party’s endorsement for a statewide office in Virginia. Reid effectively became the de-facto nominee after his primary opponent withdrew from the race.
Hashmi’s victory helps complete the Democratic ticket ahead of the general election in November. The ticket includes former Del. Jay Jones, who secured the party nomination for attorney general late Tuesday.
In a joint statement on Wednesday morning, Hashmi, Jones, and U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, nominated for governor, expressed their unity in addressing the pressing issues that concern Virginians.
The upcoming off-year elections in Virginia have garnered national attention, often viewed as a bellwether for the broader political landscape heading into the 2026 midterms. This year’s elections are notable not only for their historic nominations but also for the potential to break long-standing barriers.
Spanberger, having run unopposed for the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, is set to challenge Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. With all female candidates in the governor’s race, Virginia stands on the cusp of having its first woman governor in approximately 250 years, a significant achievement for the state.
On the Republican side, the party did not hold statewide primaries this year, resulting in only one candidate from each contest advancing to the general election ballot. Earle-Sears emerged as the Republican gubernatorial nominee after challenges from conservatives Dave LaRock and Amanda Chase, who failed to gather enough signatures to qualify.
Within the Republican Party, Reid’s candidacy for lieutenant governor was marked by controversies, including disputes over a social media account linked to him that allegedly reposted pornography. He has strongly denied these allegations.
Meanwhile, Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares swiftly advanced to the ballot after announcing his reelection bid, further shaking up the electoral scene.
As of now, approximately 481,000 votes have been tallied in the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, with around 479,000 votes counted in the race for attorney general. The turnout trends seem promising, indicating a potential match to the Democratic turnout for the statewide primary in 2021, although that election featured a broad array of candidates for governor on the ballot.
In her noteworthy political journey, Hashmi has achieved numerous firsts, including being the first Muslim woman and first South Asian American in Virginia’s upper legislative chamber. Hashmi emigrated from India to Georgia at the age of four and later settled in Richmond after obtaining a doctorate in American literature.
Her career primarily encompassing academia includes teaching at the University of Richmond and Reynolds Community College.
In the Virginia Senate, where she has served for six years, Hashmi has made her mark by advancing legislation on significant issues such as contraception rights, though her proposed bills faced vetoes from Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
As the election season heats up, all eyes will be on Virginia as it navigates this pivotal moment in its history.
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