Virginia could make history with first Muslim woman elected to statewide office

November 3, 2025

Virginia state Senator Ghazala Hashmi is competing in Tuesday's lieutenant governor election against Republican John Reid, with both candidates potentially making historic breakthroughs—Hashmi as the first Muslim woman elected to U.S. statewide office and Reid as the first openly gay Republican in such a position. While both candidates could break barriers, they have emphasized policy issues over their historic potential, with Hashmi focusing on opposing Trump's agenda and education funding, while Reid emphasizes tax cuts and transgender sports policies. Hashmi, an Indian-born community college administrator who first won state office in 2019, has faced religious discrimination including from Governor Glenn Youngkin, who said he doesn't want her in the state.

Who is affected

Ghazala Hashmi (Democratic lieutenant governor candidate)
John Reid (Republican lieutenant governor candidate)
Abigail Spanberger (Democratic gubernatorial candidate)
Winsome Earle-Sears (Republican gubernatorial candidate and current lieutenant governor)
Gov. Glenn Youngkin
Federal workers in Virginia (working without pay or recently fired)
Young women and women of diverse backgrounds (inspired by the campaigns)
Muslim Americans seeking representation
Indian Americans
Immigrant populations in Virginia
Zohran Mamdani (New York City mayoral candidate)
Vice President JD Vance

What action is being taken

Hashmi is running for lieutenant governor in Virginia
Reid is running for lieutenant governor against Hashmi
Virginia is holding elections on Tuesday for lieutenant governor and governor
Hashmi is campaigning on a message opposing "the chaos of Washington and Donald Trump"
Federal workers are working without pay or have been recently fired during a government shutdown
Reid is facing pressure from Youngkin (though the article describes this in past tense regarding withdrawal, his staying in the race is ongoing)

Why it matters

This election holds significant historical importance as it could result in the first Muslim woman ever elected to statewide office in the United States, representing a milestone for Muslim American and immigrant representation in government. The race demonstrates ongoing tensions around religious and sexual orientation discrimination in American politics, with both candidates facing attacks based on their identities despite attempting to focus on policy issues. Virginia's election of its first woman governor alongside a potentially historic lieutenant governor race signals a transformative moment for representation in a state with historical significance, potentially breaking through "centuries of bigotry and misogyny" as Hashmi describes it. The outcome also has implications for how diverse candidates can succeed in statewide races while navigating identity-based attacks and discrimination.

What's next

Election results will be determined Tuesday night, which will reveal whether Hashmi becomes the first Muslim woman elected to statewide office in the U.S. and whether Virginia elects its first woman governor.

Read full article from source: The 19th