Indian American lawmakers and community leaders have welcomed the January 17 inauguration of Virginia’s first woman Governor, Abigail Spanberger, and its first Muslim and South Asian American Lieutenant Governor, Ghazala Hashmi, calling the moment “historic” for both the Commonwealth and the nation.

On Saturday, former U.S. Congresswoman Spanberger was sworn in as Virginia’s 75th Governor, while former state senator Hashmi assumed office as the Commonwealth’s 43rd Lieutenant Governor.

During the ceremony, Lt. Governor Hashmi took her oath of office on the Quran and was sworn in by Chief Justice Cleo Powell of the Supreme Court of Virginia.

“I was incredibly honored to take my Oath of Office as the 43rd Lieutenant Governor of Virginia,” Hashmi stated following the ceremony. “I look forward to working alongside our Governor and administration to build a Commonwealth focused on affordability, opportunity, dignity, and justice.”

South Asian Herald spoke with Indian American lawmakers and community leaders, many of whom attended the inauguration, about the significance of the new administration for Virginia and the broader country.

Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), a former Virginia state senator, congratulated both leaders on their swearing-in.

“They are the right people to stand up to the Trump administration and fight for Virginians. I look forward to continuing to work with them in their new jobs to bring down costs and make life better for our neighbors,” Congressman Subramanyam told South Asian Herald.

Congressman Shri Thanedar (D-MI) also praised the milestone.

“I am really pleased to congratulate my former colleague Congresswoman Spanberger on her election as the first woman Governor of Virginia, and Lt. Governor Hashmi for making history as the firm Muslim woman and Indian American to be elected to the post,” Congressman Thanedar told South Asian Herald.

He added that he looks forward to the “incredible work” ahead by the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and their team in addressing affordability and housing challenges in Virginia.

Lt. Governor of Maryland, Aruna Miller, who made history as the first South Asian woman to be elected Lieutenant Governor in the United States in 2023, told South Asian Herald, “Ghazala Hashmi’s election is historic and deeply personal. Born in the same city of Hyderabad, India as me, her journey to becoming the first Muslim elected statewide in the U.S. reflects the extraordinary promise of America.” 

Virginia State Senator Kannan Srinivasan described Lt. Governor Hashmi’s ascension as a moment of reflection and pride for the South Asian community.

“As my colleague Senator Ghazala Hashmi takes office as Virginia’s first South Asian Lieutenant Governor, our community sees itself reflected at the highest level of state leadership,” Senator Srinivasan told South Asian Herald.

He noted that her journey from Hyderabad, India, to presiding over the Senate represents a “landmark moment” that underscores how the diaspora is not only contributing to Virginia’s growth but also shaping its future.

Congratulating Governor Spanberger, Senator Srinivasan added, “Her election is a powerful win for the diverse coalition of voters, especially the South Asian diaspora, who wanted pragmatic, inclusive leadership and turned out in record numbers,” noting “I look forward to working with ‘Madam Governor’ to ensure Virginia’s innovation economy once again provides affordability and leads the nation while leaving no community behind.”

VA State Senator Saddam Azlan Salim, a Bangladeshi American who also attended the ceremony, emphasized the broader political significance of the day.

“Their inauguration on the Capitol steps not only continued Virginia’s deep traditions of peaceful transfer of power, it also signaled a new era of diverse, progressive leadership at a time when Democrats now hold all three statewide offices and majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly,” Senator Salim told South Asian Herald.

He called it a “truly historic moment” as Virginians witnessed Spanberger sworn in as the Commonwealth’s first woman Governor, alongside Hashmi, the first Muslim-American woman elected statewide anywhere in the country, and Jay Jones, Virginia’s first Black attorney general.

Virginia House of Delegates member JJ Singh said it was an honor to celebrate the inauguration of both leaders.

“Together with the General Assembly, we will do great things,” Delegate Singh told South Asian Herald. “This is a great day for Virginia. Lt. Governor Hashmi is a trailblazer and a courageous leader. She will be fantastic.”

New York Assemblywoman Jenifer Rajkumar highlighted the national resonance of the moment.

“Seeing a South Asian Muslim woman step into statewide leadership reflects a powerful milestone for representation and belonging,” Assemblywoman Rajkumar told South Asian Herald. “It sends a clear message to young people across our nation that their heritage is a source of pride, and that they too can aspire to lead and serve.”

New Jersey Assemblyman Balvir Singh similarly described the inauguration as a historic milestone.

“Governor Spanberger and Lt. Governor Hashmi’s inauguration reflects the continued breaking of barriers and the strengthening of representative democracy,” Assemblyman Singh told South Asian Herald.

Chairman and Founder of the AAPI Victory Fund, Shekar Narasimhan, who attended the inaugural gala on January 15 and the swearing-in ceremony, described the celebrations as deeply meaningful.

“It was our night on Thursday. Happy to be part of the first ever inaugural ball with ethnic overtones. So many firsts all night,” Narasimhan told South Asian Herald.

Calling it an “exciting time” to be a Virginian, Narasimhan added, “Hashmi embodies all that we, as South Asians, want and need in a leader.”

Nick Rathod, a former senior White House official and Director of the Virginia Peoples PAC, which supported Spanberger and other statewide Democratic victories, said the inauguration carries national significance.

“Governor Spanberger and Lt. Governor Hashmi’s inauguration marks a historic moment not just for Virginia, but for the nation,” Rathod told South Asian Herald. “With Spanberger’s focus on affordability, unity, and pragmatic leadership, the Commonwealth has a real opportunity to set a model for how states can tackle rising costs and deep political divisions while showing that thoughtful, citizen-centered governance can deliver results.”

Executive Director of the Indian American Fund, Chintan Patel, described the day as the beginning of a new chapter for Virginia.

“Ghazala Hashmi is the first South Asian American and first Muslim ever elected statewide in Virginia: an immigrant, educator, and proven leader for working families,” Patel told South Asian Herald. “Indian American Impact is proud to stand with leaders who reflect our communities and will continue working to build a more inclusive and representative Commonwealth

Related posts:

Abigail Spanberger Makes History, Sworn In as Virginia’s 75th Governor and First Woman, Unveils Affordability and Unity Agenda Indian Americans and South Asians Mark Historic Wins in 2025 U.S. Elections; Ghazala Hashmi Makes History  Spanberger, Hashmi, and Jones Clinch Democratic Nominations in Virginia’s 2025 Primary Exclusive: Ghazala Hashmi on Education, Equity, and Why Virginia Must Lead with Compassion