Hyderabad/Virginia: Former President of United States of America Barack Obama has endorsed Ghazala Hashmi, a Hyderabad born Indian American as Virginia candidate for the Senate.
Releasing a list of Virginia candidates he has cleared for running for the Senate in Tuesday’s election, Obama hoped that they will advance the causes of equality, justice and decency. Those who were endorsed by him include Ghazala Hashmi, Amanda Pohl, and Debra Rodman. In a tweet, he said: “Proud to endorse an outstanding group of Virginia Democrats in Tuesday’s election—candidates who’ll not only advance the causes of equality, justice, and decency, but help ensure that the next decade of voting maps are drawn fairly. That’s good policy—and good for our politics.”
Ghazala Hashmi who is elated by Obama’s endorsement posted on her Facebook account, “I am so honored to receive President Barack Obama’s endorsement. The eyes of the country are on the Commonwealth and I’m proud to have his support as we work to restore integrity, equality, and justice to our government; values he fought so hard for as President. Together, we can protect health care expansion, pass common-sense gun safety, and uplift every Virginian.”
Hashmi won her Democratic primary by taking in 49.4 percent of the vote, beating the second-place finisher Eileen McNeil Bedell (40.9 percent) with nearly 10 points. She will take on Republican Glen Sturtevant in the general election. Besides, Ghazala Hashmi, another Indian American Subramanyam won his Democratic primary with 47.3 percent of the vote.
Born in Hyderabad, India, Ghazala Hashmi immigrated to the U.S. 50 years ago and has spent most of her life in Georgia and Virginia. She earned her doctorate in English from Emory University. She is an experienced educator. Hashmi who has teaching experience of 25 years, currently serves as the founding director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching & Learning at Reynolds Community College.
According to India Abroad, if she wins the election, Hashmi will create history by becoming the first Indian American to serve in the Virginia Senate and the first Muslim American woman to serve in the state legislature.
Below are the other prominent Indian Americans who are actively participating in US politics:
Piyush Bobby Jindal is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of Louisiana from 2008 to 2016. He previously served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives and as the vice chair of the Republican Governors Association.
Kamala Harris is serving as the junior United States Senator from California since 2017. Ami Bera (California), Pramila Jayapal (Washington), Ro Khanna (California) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois) are the members of the United States House of Representatives.
Except for Bobby Jindal who is a Republican, all Indians, represent Democratic Party.
Dalip Singh Saund was the first Sikh American, the first Asian American and the first Indian American to be elected to US Congress.