Dear Friend,

This week’s newsletter reflects on our recent Span Virginia Bus Tour, post the successful primary results, provides information on how to stay safe during extreme heat, shares a recent Shadowing the Senator experience, highlights a community engagement from this past week, and celebrates the upcoming Independence Day. Thank you for reading this newsletter and staying informed. 

Span Virginia Bus Tour

Since Saturday, June 21, I have been traveling throughout the Commonwealth with our Democratic nominee for Governor, Abigail Spanberger, and Democratic nominee for Attorney General, Jay Jones, as a part of our Span Virginia Bus Tour. Every corner of Virginia is unique, and every community has a different story to share. Throughout our travels, consistent priorities have emerged: fully funding our public schools; protecting access to affordable, quality healthcare; securing Virginia’s spot as the best state for business and for workers; ensuring all Virginians feel safe and welcome in their communities; and making sure our Commonwealth continues to improve so that future generations of Virginians do not face the same hardships we see today. 

We began on Saturday in Richmond and completed the tour this past Saturday in Virginia Beach. Here are a few highlights from the tour and the many people with whom we spoke:

Launching off in Richmond on Saturday, June 21!

Last Monday, we traveled to Blacksburg and Roanoke to speak with community members about their issues of concern. We were accompanied by Lily Franklin, candidate for the Virginia House of Delegates 41st District. In 2023, Lily lost her election by only 183 votes, and she is working this year to flip the seat and deliver real results for Southwest Virginia. 

On Tuesday, our tour took us to Charlottesville, where Planned Parenthood President Alexis McGill Johnson unveiled the endorsement of Planned Parenthood for the Spanberger-Hashmi-Jones Democratic ticket. As we continue to see states across the country criminalize healthcare providers, restrict access to contraceptives and abortion, and reduce funding for reproductive healthcare services, electing reproductive healthcare champions who are committed to protecting patient privacy and safe, legal access is more vital than ever before. 

During Thursday’s stops in Fairfax County, we were joined by members of SEIU, UNITE Here, AFGE, AFSCME, Teamsters, Pipe Trades, DMV Building Trades, and other union organizers. Virginia has a long record of being the best state for business, and we need to combine our efforts to ensure that we are also the best state for workers by providing liveable wages, ensuring workers are protected through increased worker safety laws, and expanding access to benefits such as paid family and medical leave. 

Our tour continued throughout the Northern Virginia region on Friday with stops in Leesburg, Eden Center in Falls Church, a PRIDE event in Arlington, and the Network NOVA Women’s Summit in McLean. Throughout the region, community members expressed a need for new leadership at the state-level that will stand up to Trump administration policies that are decimating our federal agencies, leading to mass layoffs of federal employees and contractors, and creating holes in critical government services. In Leesburg, we had the unique honor of being joined by former Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton who has been a courageous advocate and voice for Virginians.

Finally, our tour concluded on Saturday with stops throughout the Tidewater Region, with events in Williamsburg, Newport News, Norfolk, and Virginia Beach. Voters across the region seek leaders who will protect the independence of higher education, empower small businesses, support veterans and their families, and ensure the rights of all Virginians are protected. 

Staying Safe in the Heat

Last summer, according to data from the Virginia Department of Health, Virginia saw more than 3,200 heat-related illness visits to emergency departments and urgent care facilities. During periods of prolonged heat exposure, health professionals advise that we take the following steps: 

• Drink plenty of water, and avoid sugary drinks and alcohol when exposed to heat for a prolonged periods of time
• Keep cool indoors during the hottest portions of the day. Even a few hours in an air-conditioned environment reduces the danger of heat-related illness. 
• Dress for the heat with loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing
• Check on neighbors: children, adults over 65, pregnant people, people with pre-existing medical conditions or who are taking medications, and people with mental health or substance use disorders face a higher risk of heat-related health impacts, according to the Environmental Protection Agency
• Do not leave pets or children in cars, as temperatures can exceed 150 degrees rapidly and result in heat stroke or death
• Recognize the signs of heat illness, heat stroke, and heat cramps

For residents of Senate District 15, the City of Richmond and Chesterfield County are opening cooling shelters and expanding hours of community recreation facilities, libraries, and other government facilities. Residents across the state can find information on cooling shelters in their community by visiting Virginia 211. 

As we head into the heat of summer and continue to see rising temperatures, it’s important to know the difference between an excessive heat watch, excessive heat warning, heat advisory, and heat index:

• An excessive heat watch is issued when conditions are favorable for an excessive heat event in the next 24 to 72 hours. The occurrence and timing are still uncertain, but there is a risk. 
• An excessive heat warning is issued when the heat index value is expected to reach or exceed 110° F within the next 12 to 24 hours.
• A heat advisory is issued when the heat index value is expected to reach 105° to 109° F within the next 12 to 24 hours.
• Heat index is the number in degrees Fahrenheit (F) that tells how hot it feels when relative humidity is added to the air temperature. Exposure to full sunshine can increase the heat index by 15° F. 

More tips and information are available through the Virginia Department of Health and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management. 

Shadowing the Senator

Last week my office hosted another “Shadowing the Senator” program participant: Samarth. A high school student, Samarth, sought out the shadowing opportunity to learn more about state government, considering his strong interests in law, public policy, and civic engagement. His shadowing day consisted of joining Richmond Public Schools Summer Program students at the American Civil War Museum, attending the "Virginia Energy Regulation 101" Workshop, a tour of the State Capitol, and one-on-one meetings with me and my staff. Samarth shared these reflections on his experience with my office:

“Shadowing Senator Hashmi gave me an inspiring and eye-opening look at what real public service looks like. From back-to-back meetings with constituents and meaningful conversations with the American Civil War Museum, I saw firsthand the dedication and compassion it takes to serve effectively. I left with a deeper respect for both the legislative process and the people behind it. It was a 10/10 experience I would recommend.”

Select Community Engagements

On Monday, my staff joined students from Miles Jones Elementary's summer program for their field trip to the American Civil War Museum. Students were able to analyze artifacts related to Virginia's historical figures throughout the Civil War and learn about the journeys of these historical figures in our state’s history.       

On Tuesday while in Roanoke, I was honored to speak before the Baptist General Convention of Virginia, Inc., a collection of 1,079 African-American Baptist churches spanning the Commonwealth with over 185,000 members. This event marked the organization’s 126th Annual Session and Congress of Christian Faith Formation.

Independence Day 

My staff and I wish everyone a fun and safe celebration. All state offices will be closed on July 4, and reopen on Monday, July 7. 

Connecting With My Office

My office can be reached at the following:

Email:  [email protected] 

Phone:  804.698.7515

If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here. 

— Ghazala

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