Richmond: Indian-Origin Democrat Ghazala Hashmi won the lieutenant governor's race in Virginia, defeating Republican John Reid on Tuesday evening (local time). With this victory, Hashmi scripted history by becoming the first Muslim and the first person of South Asian descent to serve in the Virginia Senate. She is currently representing the 15th Senatorial District.

As lieutenant governor, Hashmi will preside over the Virginia state Senate. Notably, in this US state, Democrats currently hold a slim 21-19 seat advantage over Republicans. The lieutenant governor votes when there's a tie in the Senate. Hashmi's victory also means her Senate seat will have to be filled in a special election.

Who Is Ghazala Hashmi?

Hashmi was born in India's Hyderabad in 1964 to Tanveer and Zia Hashmi. Her

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