Latest news with #Hashmi
Time of India
a day ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Ghazala Hashmi? Indian-American wins lieutenant governor nomination; Democrat to contest Virginia race
Source- Instagram Senator Ghazala Hashmi made history on Wednesday by winning the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor of Virginia. She is now the first Muslim and the first Indian-American ever nominated for a statewide office in Virginia. Hashmi defeated five Democratic candidates, including former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, clinching the nomination by a razor-thin margin of less than one percentage point. She will now face Republican John Reid in November. Reid is the first openly gay man nominated by a major party for statewide office in Virginia. With Hashmi joining gubernatorial nominee Rep. Abigail Spanberger and attorney general candidate Jay Jones, Democrats have now completed their statewide ticket. The general election could be historic in multiple ways, including the possibility of Virginia electing its first woman governor. Who is Ghazala Hashmi? Hashmi is the first Muslim woman and first South Asian American elected to Virginia's state Senate. She was born in India and moved to the US at age 4, settling in Georgia with her family. Hashmi holds a PhD in American literature and spent most of her professional life as a professor. She taught at the University of Richmond and later at Reynolds Community College before entering politics. In 2019, she entered the Virginia Senate by defeating Republican Glen Sturtevant in a closely watched race. She was re-elected in 2023. In the Senate, she championed reproductive rights. One of her key bills aimed to protect Virginians' access to contraception. The bill passed both chambers but was vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.
Axios
2 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Ghazala Hashmi set to face John Reid for Virginia lieutenant governor
Former Richmond mayor Levar Stoney conceded the lieutenant governor race to State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi Wednesday morning. Why it matters: Both the GOP and Democratic ballots in November are now set to be among the most historically diverse tickets in Virginia history. The latest: The AP called the race for Hashmi Wednesday morning after Stoney's concession. "I'm incredibly proud of the campaign we ran and the many Virginians who supported our efforts to fight for a fair shot for all Virginians," Stoney said in a statement. "Unfortunately, in this primary we came up a little short." Hours before he conceded, the Democratic state ticket issued a statement saying, "We are united in our focus on the issues that matter to our fellow Virginians." Zoom in: If Hashmi wins in November, she'll be the first Muslim-American woman elected lieutenant governor in the U.S. Former Norfolk lawmaker Jay Jones won the Democratic nomination for attorney general, per the AP, which means Virginia could have its first Black AG. Meanwhile, having Virginia's first woman governor is all but guaranteed with Republican nominee Winsome Earle-Sears up against Democrat Abigail Spanberger. Jason Miyares, the GOP incumbent running for AG, is the first Latino to hold statewide office. And the Republican lieutenant governor nominee John Reid, a former Richmond-area radio host, is the first openly gay statewide nominee. By the numbers: Hashmi and Levar Stoney were within 1% of each other as of Wednesday morning. Hashmi, who represents Chesterfield and parts of South Richmond, swept Richmond — the city Stoney was mayor of for eight years — with 58% of the vote, according to unofficial results. Stoney performed better in Chesterfield and Henrico, where he had around 35% of the vote in a six-way race, than he did in Richmond. But Hashmi led overall in the Richmond area. What we're watching: When each ticket will first show up together.
Axios
2 days ago
- Politics
- Axios
Virginia Democrats' lieutenant governor race still undecided
We still don't officially know who the Democrats' lieutenant governor candidate is. Why it matters: It's the hottest race on the 2025 primary ticket, and includes two Richmond-area locals. Driving the news: As of Wednesday morning, frontrunners state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi and former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney were within 1% of each other. What they're saying: Hashmi declared victory Tuesday night, the Democratic party announced her as the winner and opponent Aaron Rouse congratulated her. But Stoney hasn't conceded. The intrigue: If the final margin is within 1% or less, the race would be eligible for a recount. But there's no such thing as an "automatic recount" in Virginia — whoever is behind has to request one. By the numbers: Hashmi, who represents Chesterfield and parts of South Richmond, swept Richmond — the city Stoney was mayor of for eight years — with 58% of the vote, according to unofficial results. Stoney performed better in Chesterfield and Henrico, where he had around 35% of the vote in a six-way race, than he did in Richmond. But Hashmi led overall in the Richmond area. Zoom out: Former Norfolk lawmaker Jay Jones won the Democratic nomination for attorney general, per the AP, which means Virginia could have its first Black AG. What we're watching: When each ticket will first show up together. The GOP nominees have yet to do so in the months since Gov. Youngkin asked lieutenant governor candidate John Reid to step aside earlier this year. In an interview with WTOP this week, Reid said, "I would love to do an event with my ticket mates" and called it "disappointing" that it hasn't happened. Reid also said he hasn't spoken with Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP nominee for governor, in nearly two months. Other Richmond election results In Richmond, incumbent Colette McEachin is clearly on track to serve another term as commonwealth's attorney with more than 71% of the vote, according to unofficial results from the Virginia Department of Elections. McEachin currently doesn't have a Republican challenger. Incumbent Antionette Irving is poised to win the Democratic primary for sheriff with 54% of votes, per unofficial results. Local House races
2 days ago
- Politics
Ghazala Hashmi wins Democratic nomination for Virginia lieutenant governor
RICHMOND, Va. -- The candidates for Virginia's lieutenant governor are set to make history after Sen. Ghazala Hashmi won the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor on Wednesday. Hashmi is the first Muslim and the first Indian-American to be nominated to appear on the ballot for a Virginia statewide office. She defeated five other candidates, including Democrat Levar Stoney by less than a percentage point, to secure the nomination in a razor-thin primary race. Stoney congratulated Hashmi on Wednesday in a concession statement. Hashmi will now face Republican John Reid, the first openly gay man to receive a major party's endorsement for statewide office in Virginia, who became the de-facto nominee after his primary opponent left the race. Her victory rounded out the Democratic ticket ahead of the November general election. It comes after former Del. Jay Jones became the party nominee for attorney general late Tuesday. 'As the Democratic ticket running to serve as Virginia's next Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, we are united in our focus on the issues that matter to our fellow Virginians,' Hashmi, Jones and U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, the nominee for governor, said in a joint statement Wednesday morning. Virginia's off-year elections typically draw national attention as a possible bellwether for politicians as they head into midterms in 2026. And this year, the election is also sure to make history. Spanberger, who ran for the Democratic nomination unopposed, will battle Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears in the governor's race. The female nominees all but guarantee that Virginia will have a woman for governor, which is a first in the state's some 250-year history dating back to Patrick Henry's governorship. Conservatives did not hold statewide primaries this year, with only one candidate in each statewide contest advancing to the general election ballot. Earle-Sears became the Republican gubernatorial nominee after conservatives Dave LaRock and Amanda Chase failed to collect enough signatures to qualify for the ballot. Both LaRock and Chase initially challenged Earle-Sears for not being fully aligned with the White House. Reid, a conservative talk-radio host, secured the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor despite intraparty quarreling over whether he was tied to a social media account reposting pornography, a charge he vehemently denied. Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares sailed to his spot on the ballot after announcing his reelection bid. Hashmi's political career has been marked by its fair share of firsts: she was the first Muslim woman and the first South Asian American in Virginia's upper chamber. She emigrated from India to Georgia when she was four years old, later moving to Richmond after getting a doctorate in American literature. She spent most of her career as a professor, first at the University of Richmond and then at Reynolds Community College. The Democrat managed to distinguish herself by touting her legislative chops. Hashmi began her career in the Virginia Senate six years ago after ousting incumbent Republican Sen. Glen Sturtevant. She was reelected to her seat in 2023. In the Senate, Hashmi put forth bills establishing Virginians' right to contraception, which passed both chambers but were vetoed by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Who is Ghazala Hashmi, the Democratic candidate for Virginia Lieutenant Governor?
Ghazala Hashmi has made history as the first Muslim and first Indian-American to win the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia. She was chosen by a major party to run for a statewide office in the state. She will now face Republican John Reid in the general election in November, as per the reports. She beat five other Democratic candidates, including Levar Stoney, by less than 1% in a very close primary race. Levar Stoney conceded and congratulated Hashmi. Hashmi will run against Republican John Reid, who is the first openly gay man to be nominated by a major party for a statewide office in Virginia, according to the Associated Press. Reid became the Republican nominee after his only opponent dropped out of the race. Hashmi's win completed the Democratic team for Virginia's general election in November. Jay Jones was chosen as the Democratic nominee for Attorney General the day before. In a joint statement, Hashmi, Jones, and Abigail Spanberger said they are united on important issues for Virginians, as per the reports. More about Ghazala Hashmi Ghazala Hashmi moved to the U.S. from India at the age of 4, settling first in Georgia. Later, she moved to Richmond, Virginia, after getting a Ph.D. in American literature. She worked as a professor at the University of Richmond and then at Reynolds Community College, as stated by the Associated Press. Hashmi entered the Virginia Senate six years ago after defeating Republican Sen. Glen Sturtevant. She was reelected to the Senate in 2023. In the Senate, she introduced a bill to protect the right to contraception in Virginia. The bill passed both chambers, but was vetoed by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, as per reports. Live Events Who else is running in Virginia? Virginia's elections usually get a lot of national attention, especially before midterm elections like the one in 2026. This year's election will be historic no matter what. Spanberger ran unopposed in the Democratic primary and will face Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears for Governor, according to the reports by Associated Press. Since both major candidates for Governor are women, Virginia will likely have its first woman Governor in its 250-year history. Republicans didn't hold any statewide primaries this year. Only one candidate per office went forward to the general election. Earle-Sears became the Republican candidate for Governor after Dave LaRock and Amanda Chase failed to get enough signatures to qualify, as per the reports. FAQs Q1. Who is Ghazala Hashmi running against? She will face Republican John Reid in the general election. Q2. Why is this election historic? Virginia may get its first woman Governor and has many diverse candidates.
