Hyderabad-Born Ghazala Hashmi Becomes First Muslim Woman Elected Virginia Lieutenant Governor
Washington, Nov 5:Ghazala Hashmi, an Indian-origin Democratic leader born in Hyderabad, has made history by becoming Virginia’s first female and first Muslim Lieutenant Governor. Her victory marks a major milestone for South Asian representation in American politics.
A state senator from Richmond, Hashmi defeated Republican opponent John Reid by a comfortable margin. Before entering politics, she served as a professor at the University of Richmond.
Hashmi, who moved to the U.S. at the age of four, earned a B.A. from Georgia Southern University and a Ph.D. in American Literature from Emory University. Inspired by former U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban on several Muslim countries, she entered public service to fight for inclusivity and equality.
Her policy priorities includ...