Hashmi Shocks Virginia with Big Win to Become Dem Nominee for LG; Jones Wins Over Taylor; Shannon Jones Beats Gwynn in Newport News; Fatehi Beats Butler
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After a rollercoaster evening of election results in the race for Lieutenant Governor, State Senator Ghazala Hashmi wins one of the most competitive statewide contests ever! Jay Jones defeated Shannon Taylor to become the Democratic nominee for Attorney General.
Above: Former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger, Senator Ghazala Hashmi and former Delegate Jay Jones — The Democratic ticket in Virginia.
Above: Senator Hashmi speaks after a thrilling win to become the Democratic nominee for Lt. Governor.
SEN. GHAZALA HASHMI WINS BIG. State Senator Ghazala Hashmi was the only woman running for Lieutenant Governor this cycle. Her victory was a surprise to many and will be a historic marker for several reasons.
For the first time in the history of Virginia there will be no straight white men on the ticket of either major political party as voters decide on a new Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General in 139 days. There will also be a woman serving as Governor of Virginia for the first time in history in January 2026.
On primary night six candidates for Lieutenant Governor battled it out as three candidates at the top switched positions several times during the three hours after polls closed in Virginia at 7pm.
In the end, State Senator Hashmi was victorious. Perhaps it was that she was the only woman candidate alongside 6 men and women voters made a statement. Or perhaps she was assisted by two Black candidates in the race splitting the vote with each other. Or perhaps Hashmi’s win was another example of the growing power of the Indian American and the growing East Asian American community in Virginia. Whatever factor ignited her victory, Senator Hashmi’s win was a stunning surprise victory almost no political analyst in Virginia predicted. Hashmi also made a statement in the city of Richmond.
WRIC on HASHMI’S DOMINANCE IN RICHMOND: Within the city of Richmond, the race was not nearly as close. Hashmi raked in over three times as many votes as former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney. Hashmi coming in at 58.15% compared to his 20.73%, according to the Virginia Department of Elections.
Sen. Hashmi, 60, arrived in the Virginia Senate in January 2020. She was born in Hyderabad, India and her family moved to the U.S. when she was five. She was a teacher and administrator for 25 years as well as a visiting professor at the University of Richmond and J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College.
In the Virginia Senate she introduced a budget amendment to protect Medicaid expansion.
Above: Last night Sen. Hashmi speaks to her supporters. They included Del. Mike Jones, Sen. Jeremy McPike, Del. Rae Cousins and Del. Betsy Carr.
The Clean Virginia Ticket?
Above: Jay Jones celebrates in Norfolk last night with Del. Alex Askew, Del. Bonita Anthony, Sen. Lashrecse Aird, Del. Dan Helmer, Del. Michael Feggans and Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg and former Del. Mike Mullin.
Also a rarity for a statewide ticket in Virginia: The Democratic ticket will not be owned, funded and controlled by Dominion Energy. Jay Jones, the nominee for Attorney General, had to beat back Henrico Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor who was heavily funded by Dominion. Clean Virginia — the anti-Dominion — is countering their money with donations to Jones and Abigail Spanberger.
Above: Jay Jones addresses supporters last night.
Ramin Fatehi Wins, Other Races to Remember on Primary Night
Longtime Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney HOWARD GWYNN lost to SHANNON JONES. In Norfolk, progressive Commonwealth’s Attorney RAMIN FATEHI defeated the well-funded establishment pick JOHN BUTLER. Fatehi was backed by Congressman Bobby Scott and Speaker Don Scott. DEL. DELORES McQUINN won easily in HD81 over challenger Alicia Atkins. HD73: LESLIE MEHTA won easily against Justin Woodford.
Above: Shannon Jones won over longtime Newport News Commonwealth’s Attorney Howard Gwynn
Below: Scenes from primary victory night in Virginia.
LISTEN! Sam Shirazi’s podcast FEDERAL FALLOUT 🎙️ Listen to the latest episode of Federal Fallout with Black Virginia News founder Lauren Burke
NEW PODCAST - EP52 🎙️ Reps. Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Jasmine Crockett (D-TX): Democrats Talk Media Strategy in the Fight to Save Health Care
Podcast 51 🎙️ Fergie Reid, Jr. on the 100 Virginia House Races
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