Democrat Ghazala Hashmi elected Virginia lieutenant governor 

Virginia voters backed Democrat Ghazala Hashmi over Republican John Reid. 

State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Richmond) is projected to defeat Republican John Reid in Tuesday’s election to become Virginia’s next lieutenant governor. The race was called by DecisionDeskHQ at 7:29 p.m.

As of 9:51 p.m, unofficial results show Hashmi winning 54.4% of the vote compared with 45.4% for Reid, with 84% of the vote reported.

Hashmi will replace the current Republican lieutenant governor, Winsome Earle-Sears, who ran for governor.

Hashmi will be the first Muslim and first Indian-American to serve as Virginia’s lieutenant governor, which involves presiding over the Virginia Senate and casting tie-breaking votes in that chamber. 

Hashmi ran a campaign that focused on the importance of reproductive freedom, protecting public education, and fighting for workers’ rights. On the economy, Hashmi supports assistance for laid off federal workers, bolstering workforce development, and increased state investments in education.

This is the second time the mother of two made state history in the past six years. In 2019, she won her seat in Virginia’s General Assembly, becoming the commonwealth’s first Muslim state Senator.

While Virginia’s lieutenant governor is a four-year elected commitment, there are no term limits on the role.