Ghazala Hashmi

Ghazala Firdous Hashmi ( ; born July 5, 1964) is an American politician and academic serving as the 43rd lieutenant governor of Virginia since 2026. She is the first South Asian and Muslim woman elected to this office. Before becoming lieutenant governor, she was a Virginia state senator from 2020 to 2026.

Hashmi was born in Hyderabad, India. She was raised in Georgia. Hashmi graduated from Georgia Southern University with a bachelor's degree in English.

In November 2025, Hashmi was elected as Virginia's lieutenant governor, becoming the first Indian American and first Muslim to hold a statewide office in Virginia. She is also the first Muslim woman to win a statewide office anywhere in the United States.

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Other websites


 Legislative website

Category:1964 births
Category:Living people
Category:Naturalized citizens of the United States
Category:Indian academics
Category:Politicians from Telangana
Category:Academics from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Academics from Virginia
Category:Politicians from Georgia (U.S. state)
Category:Members of the Virginia General Assembly
Category:Democratic Party (United States) politicians
Category:American Muslims
Category:Lieutenant Governors of Virginia