Republican nominee John Reid, a former WRVA radio host and veteran broadcaster, is running to become Virginia’s first openly gay Lieutenant Governor. 

In this wide-ranging conversation with South Asian Herald, on October 12, 2025, in Fairfax, Northern Virginia, Reid shared insights from his career in media and public service, outlines his economic priorities, and discussed his outreach to diverse communities, including Virginia’s growing South Asian population. He also weighed in on federal job losses, LGBTQ+ policy debates, and the state’s political landscape ahead of the election.

Q: You have a long career in broadcasting and public service, and if elected, you would become Virginia’s first openly gay Lieutenant Governor. Could you tell us about your personal and professional background, and what inspired you to seek this office?

A: I grew up here in Virginia. I was raised here, but I’ve been fortunate to travel widely across all 50 states and to 113 countries, including Antarctica. Professionally, I’ve lived in Los Angeles, Manhattan, and Texas, and worked for the U.S. Senate under Senator George Allen when he served on the Foreign Relations Committee. My broadcasting career took me from local television to covering global events – often in difficult environments like Kuwait and Bahrain during the Arab Spring, or in Baghdad and Erbil during the Iraq War, where I worked on helping the parliament strengthen civil society. These experiences shaped my belief that freedom and respectful disagreement are essential to democracy. If elected Lieutenant Governor, I want to help unite Virginians, ensuring that people of all faiths can practice freely and that we can agree to disagree without hostility. In a state of more than 8.5 million people, mutual respect is the only way forward.

Q: Your Democratic opponent, State Senator Ghazala Hashmi, would also make history as Virginia’s first South Asian and Muslim Lieutenant Governor if elected. How do you view the contributions of South Asian communities in Virginia, and why should they support your candidacy over her’s?

I deeply respect the South Asian community and its contributions to Virginia. However, Senator Hashmi has supported policies what I believe are controversial, progressive, and even regressive such as the transgender sports agenda and redefining traditional family terms. While I respect differing opinions, I believe Virginia should uphold biological reality and protect women’s private spaces. My concern is that some of her legislative positions don’t align with the values of most Virginians, regardless of faith. Many who might initially support her because of shared heritage or identity may want to reconsider after reviewing her record. My focus is on building unity, protecting women, respecting all faiths, and defending freedom of thought. That’s how we create a Virginia that welcomes everyone while staying rooted in common sense.

Q: Can you talk about your engagement with South Asian and other diverse communities, and why outreach matters to your campaign?

Governor Glenn Youngkin has done a great job of reaching out to communities Republicans haven’t traditionally engaged, and I’ve taken the same approach. Having traveled widely, I’ve met people from every culture and faith tradition, and I see more that unites us than divides us. I’ve made a deliberate effort to visit mosques, temples, and Coptic Christian churches, listening and learning. Mutual respect is essential, even when we hold different beliefs. As a person of faith myself, I think it’s possible to stay true to one’s convictions while honoring others. That’s the approach I bring to public service.

Q: What are the central issues driving your campaign? And how do you plan to address the concerns of federal workers in Virginia affected by job losses and the ongoing government shutdown?

I’ve lost a job before, so I know how painful it can be. My heart goes out to anyone struggling financially. Unfortunately, our country is $37 trillion in debt, and difficult adjustments are inevitable if we want to sustain the government. That said, Northern Virginia today has one of the most dynamic economies in America, with tech firms, corporations, law practices, and creative industries. Unlike decades ago, it’s no longer dependent solely on federal employment. So, while job losses are devastating, there’s real opportunity for re-employment here. As Lieutenant Governor, I want to expand that kind of economic ecosystem across the Commonwealth. We’re competing with states like Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, and Texas for investment. To win, we must offer a stable, business-friendly environment with a skilled workforce. I come from a business background – I’ve made payroll and understand what employers need. My opponent doesn’t have that experience, and I believe it matters. To attract and keep companies in Virginia, business leaders need to know their government supports them, not hinders them.

Q: On the government shutdown specifically, what is your stance?

I find it troubling that our Democratic senators, Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, acknowledge the shutdown’s harm to Virginia’s economy, yet voted for it. They should support the continuing resolution to maintain stability while negotiations continue. You can’t claim to care about workers and then vote for a shutdown that hurts them. The main dispute right now concerns providing free healthcare to individuals in the country illegally. I have many friends from India, Peru, El Salvador, and China who followed the legal immigration process. They applied for visas, waited their turn, and respected the law. It’s not fair to them – or to taxpayers – to reward illegal entry with free benefits.

Q: Since returning to office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has introduced policies affecting the LGBTQ+ community, and Governor Youngkin has issued executive orders related to the same. How do you believe Virginia should handle policies concerning transgender and LGBTQ+ individuals?

I’m unaware of any policies from President Trump that target the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, he’s been open-minded. At the Milwaukee convention, he removed divisive language about marriage because he wanted unity. He’s also appointed openly gay people to senior government roles. What matters to him is competence, not someone’s personal life. Governor Youngkin is similar, he respects others’ rights as well. That’s the model I follow. Public officials must separate private faith from their public duties. My goal is to ensure everyone in Virginia, regardless of orientation or belief, has equal rights and respect.

Q: Could you share some of the key endorsements your campaign has received, and what they signify about your message?

I have been endorsed by many leaders and groups. Today, I am happy to receive the endorsement of the American Hindu Coalition. I’m also proud to have the support of many police officers and sheriffs across Virginia. Their endorsement means a lot because we’ve seen too much violence in our state. Communities, especially minority and faith communities, should feel safe. We can’t allow destruction of property or harm to individuals to become acceptable. Even people who disagree with me on taxes or social policy recognize the importance of law and order. As Lieutenant Governor, I’ll stand firmly for public safety and support our law enforcement officers who risk their lives daily. Peaceful communities are the foundation for prosperity and trust.

Q: As we look ahead to Election Day, do you believe Virginia will see a unified Republican slate, with your party winning Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and Attorney General, or a more divided outcome?

Each race is independent, but I think polling shows Republicans are very competitive in all three. I’ve worked nonstop since January 27, and I’ll keep going until Election Day. My commitment is to show Virginians that I’ll work hard, listen, and reach out to people who don’t normally vote Republican. I’ll visit every community, because leadership means engaging with everyone, not just those who agree with you. If we succeed across the board, I believe it will be good for Virginia’s economy and its culture. A united team can deliver stability, growth, and respect for all citizens.

(This interview has been edited for length, brevity and clarity.)

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