Ghazala Hashmi is a Democratic State Senator representing Virginia's 15th Senate District, which covers much of Chesterfield County and the Richmond area. First elected in November 2019 in an upset victory over a Republican incumbent, she made history as the first Muslim and first South Asian American to serve in the Virginia Senate, helping deliver the Democratic majority. She is the Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor in the 2025 election, running on the ticket with Abigail Spanberger for governor and Jay Jones for attorney general. Her legislative priorities include public education, voting rights, preservation of democracy, reproductive freedom, gun violence prevention, the environment, housing, and affordable healthcare access. Notable achievements include sponsoring the Right to Contraception Act and writing bills to protect abortion rights and Medicaid expansion. In 2024, she was named Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee.

Education and Political Experience

• Education and Early Career: Experienced educator and academic administrator before entering politics.
• Political Experience: Elected to Virginia Senate in 2019; re-elected and advanced to leadership as Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee in 2024; Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor after winning the June primary against five opponents.