Ghazala Hashmi is first Muslim to win statewide office in Virginia

Democrat Hashmi, an Indian American, won the lieutenant governor’s contention successful the US authorities of Virginia.

Zohran Mamdani was not the lone Muslim person successful the United States to person a historical predetermination nighttime arsenic he won the New York City mayoral race.

Ghazala Hashmi, besides of the Democratic Party, won a authorities lieutenant governor’s contention connected Tuesday, becoming the archetypal Indian American and archetypal Muslim to triumph statewide bureau successful Virginia.

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“This was possible,” she said successful her triumph speech, “because of the extent and breadth of the opportunities made disposable successful this state and successful this commonwealth.”

Hashmi, 61, arrived successful the US arsenic a child, coming from Hyderabad, India, with her household to articulation her father, who was teaching astatine Georgia Southern University successful Savannah.

Hashmi is presently a authorities legislator representing a territory southbound of Richmond, Virginia. Prior to that, she worked arsenic a assemblage prof successful Virginia. She entered authorities successful 2019 by flipping a Republican-held Virginia State Senate seat, and went connected to triumph a crowded Democratic superior for lieutenant politician successful June.

Islamophobia reared its caput passim Mamdani’s campaign, chiefly from Republicans and from officials successful the medication of US President Donald Trump.

The pivotal predetermination night was a resounding rebuke of Trump and his Republican Party.

Democrats were victorious successful New Jersey and Virginia gubernatorial elections, successful California’s Proposition 50 vote, and successful mayoral races.