About

Ghazala F. Hashmi is the 43rd Lieutenant Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.She was sworn in on January 17, 2026, in a historic moment for the Commonwealth. Lieutenant Governor Hashmi is the first Muslim woman to be elected statewide in the nation, as well as the first South Asian American elected to statewide office in Virginia, reflecting the Commonwealth’s continued progress toward a more representative and inclusive democracy.

Prior to taking office as Lieutenant Governor, Hashmi served in the Virginia State Senate representing the 15th District. First elected in 2019, she built a reputation as a thoughtful, effective legislator focused on strengthening public education, expanding access to affordable healthcare, protecting reproductive freedom, and advancing economic opportunity. During her tenure, she played a key role in securing historic investments in K–12 and higher education, supporting working families, and defending civil rights for all Virginians.

As the daughter of immigrants who instilled in her the values of education and civic responsibility, Hashmi was born in Hyderabad, India and raised in the United States. She earned her undergraduate degree from Georgia Southern University, a master’s degree from the University of Virginia, and a Ph.D. in American Studies from Emory University. She spent decades teaching at Virginia’s community colleges, where she became a trusted advocate for students, faculty, and workforce development.

Before her election to the State Senate, Hashmi was deeply engaged in community leadership, serving on local boards and commissions and working closely with parents, educators, and civic leaders to strengthen public education and expand opportunity. Her professional career has been defined by a commitment to ensuring that the government reflects and responds to the people it serves.

Lieutenant Governor Hashmi is focused on working with Governor Spanberger and the General Assembly to build a forward-looking Commonwealth: one that invests in education, protects fundamental freedoms, and ensures that every Virginian has the opportunity to thrive.