Summary
Ghazala Hashmi has become the first Indian American and first Muslim to win a statewide office in Virginia by securing the position of lieutenant governor. Hashmi, who moved to the U.S. as a child from India, is currently a state senator and previously worked as a college professor.
Key Facts
- Ghazala Hashmi won the election for lieutenant governor in Virginia.
- She is the first Muslim to win a statewide office in Virginia.
- Hashmi is also the first Indian American to achieve this milestone in Virginia.
- She moved to the U.S. from Hyderabad, India, as a child.
- Prior to her political career, she worked as a college professor.
- Hashmi became a state senator by winning a seat previously held by Republicans in 2019.
- She entered the race for lieutenant governor by winning a Democratic primary.
- Islamophobia was noted during Zohran Mamdani's campaign, related to the broader election context.
