Who is Ghazala Hashmi? Hyderabad-Born Democrat Becomes Virginia Lt Governor

Indian-origin Democrat candidate Ghazala Hashmi has won the election battle for the post of Lieutenant Governor, defeating Republican candidate John Rid. Hashmi was the first Muslim woman and the first South Asian American to serve in the Virginia Senate. She entered politics in 2019 and has been representing the Virginia State Senate from the Democratic Party. Since entering politics, she has worked tirelessly, gained a strong foothold in the State Senate, and has now been elected to the General Assembly.

Hashmi spent her childhood in Hyderabad. Until the age of four, she lived with her grandparents in Malakpet, Telangana. When she was five years old, her family immigrated to Georgia, USA. Hashmi’s father was a professor who earned his master’s degree and LLB from Aligarh Muslim University and later completed a PhD in International Relations from South Carolina University, eventually becoming a professor. Her mother also pursued higher education, completing a BA and B.Ed from Koti Women’s College, Hyderabad.

During her academic years, Hashmi received several scholarships and fellowships. She completed her BA at Georgia Southern University and earned a doctorate in American Literature from Emory University, Atlanta. In 1991, Hashmi and her husband, Azhar Rafiq, moved to Richmond, Virginia. The couple have two sons, Yasmin and Noor, who both graduated from Chesterfield University, Virginia. Hashmi worked as a professor of English literature for three years at the University of Richmond and Reynolds Community College.

As a professor and activist, Ghazala Hashmi has been a strong advocate for education, healthcare, the environment, and the household sector. She has authored numerous journals and articles as both an academic and an activist. On her website, she writes that her journey in politics will continue to focus on improving and enriching the lives of the people.