If there was a moment that changed the race for the Democratic nomination for Lieutenant Governor, it would definitely be when Senator Ghazala Hashmi delivered a speech in the bed of a pickup truck outside of a protest against Governor Glenn Youngkin in Church Hill.
Hashmi did not shy away from progressive politics. She built a coalition of progressives from Virginia New Majority to Equality Virginia and the Virginia Education Association. Never afraid to stand for transgender rights, reproductive access, or unions, Hashmi joined the picket lines of Starbuck workers in December.
Hashmi did exceptionally well in Richmond in a crowded field of candidates. She collected 58% of the vote compared to former Mayor Levar Stoney, who only won 20% of Richmond votes.
Hashmi held her watch party in Richmond’s Fan District with a group of elected officials from across Central Virginia, including some from Richmond. Addressing the media and her supporters, Hashmi declared victory and proclaimed, “We are ready to defend the values that make the Commonwealth strong: equity, inclusion, opportunity, and justice for all.”
Among those with Hashmi at the watch party was City Councilwoman Stephanie Lynch, who said, “The broad coalition that she’s built represents legislators, policymakers, and community members—most importantly, people who feel very deeply and passionately about seeing this country rise above all the negativity.”
Alexsis Rogers, who ran against Levar Stoney for mayor in 2020, said that what put Hashmi over the top was her record of passing progressive policies like environmental justice, housing, stopping gun violence, and reproductive access.
As Delegate Mike Jones put it, “Hashmi is an American name.”
Read more from Goad Gatsby HERE
Main image by Goad Gatsby
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