Dear Friend,

This week’s newsletter reflects on Thursday’s gubernatorial debate and shares information on early voting, provides updates from recent legislative commission meetings, highlights select community engagements from this past week, and recognizes Indigenous Peoples’ Day. Thank you for reading this newsletter and for staying informed.

Gubernatorial Debate + Early Voting 

Last Thursday evening, Norfolk State University hosted the only debate of the Virginia governor’s race, during which former Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger clearly demonstrated why she is the best choice to lead Virginia in the next administration. Throughout the evening, our Democratic nominee described her life’s work of service to community, country, and Congress. She highlighted her record of bipartisanship on behalf of Virginians, and presented her plans to address rising costs for families, invest in public education, and chart a path for Virginia’s energy future.

Watching our current Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears on the stage was reminiscent of Donald Trump’s performances of changing debate protocol into spectacle. She deflected questions of substance on policies that are impacting Virginians and minimized the disastrous effects of federal policies and budget actions. She also criticized Virginia’s efforts to ensure that marriage equality is protected constitutionally and inexplicably argued that denying individuals the right to marry who they love and that workplace hiring and termination decisions based on sexual orientation “is not discrimination.” She also dismissed Virginians’ overwhelming support for protecting access to reproductive healthcare in the face of harmful assaults by the Trump-majority Supreme Court. These responses demonstrate a lack of awareness and acknowledgment of the issues and concerns that are impacting the lives of Virginians.

The challenges we face as a Commonwealth are significant and require steady, competent, and reliable leadership: rising unemployment due Trump’s massive federal layoffs; cuts to vital programs such as Medicaid and SNAP on which hundreds of thousands of Virginians rely; dismantling of essential health care and other benefits programs provided by the Veterans Administration and to our military families; escalating costs of living; the loss of core structures and support provided by the US Department of Education, and more. Each of these immense issues require dependable leadership, skills, experience, policy knowledge, and a willingness to fight on behalf of Virginians against the harmful actions of the Trump Administration. Thursday night, on the stage of Norfolk State University, provided a stark contrast of vision, substance, and competency. 

Election Day & Early Voting

Election Day is Tuesday, November 4; 21 days remain in this election cycle. Virginians can vote early in-person now until November 1. In recent General Assembly sessions, Democrats successfully passed laws that expand voting access, including no-excuse early voting, mail-in ballots, and same-day voter registration. Virginians can vote early, in-person, 45 days before Election Day. Voter registration status, mail-in ballot requests, and more information about upcoming elections are available at the Virginia Department of Elections or I Will Vote.

Commission Meetings

As a Senate member of the Virginia Housing Commission, I joined the Commission's meeting on Tuesday to receive updates on legislative work from our Commission workgroups, as well as presentations on legislative proposals involving home inspectors and requirements to carry professional liability insurance, as well as notification concerns for homeowners when properties are located in a resource protected area (RPA). The Commission will hear final workgroup recommendations and consider bill proposals during our December meeting. The full meeting recording is available. 

The next day, on Wednesday, I attended the Joint Commission on Technology and Science (JCOTS) as we received presentations on a variety of issues; these presentations will help in the development of legislative priorities for the 2026 session. Commission members first received a progress update from the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development’s Office of Broadband, highlighting Virginia’s advancements in closing the digital divide by increasing broadband access, affordability, and adoption. As a six-year member of the Virginia Broadband Advisory Council, I know that these efforts have been a considerable and bipartisan priority for Virginia; I look forward to continuing to work to ensure that the remaining 312,195 locations have access to high-speed internet. JCOTS also considered policy recommendations for artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The meeting concluded with two presentations: "Mitigating Risks & Fostering Innovation through Technology Policy" and generative "AI in Healthcare.” The full meeting recording is available. 

Select Community Engagements

On Friday, my Chief of Staff attended the Chesterfield County Police Department’s 90th Basic Police Academy Graduation. This class of six officers come from Virginia, Brazil, and Morocco, and each officer has chosen to serve in Chesterfield County. I thank our new officers for their dedication and commitment to ensuring public safety within our communities.  

Saturday began with a canvass launch in Petersburg for Kimberly Pope Adams in HD-82 with members of UNITE HERE Local 25 and Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters. Many labor priorities for which Democrats have fought hard are on the ballot this November, including collective bargaining, increased wages, and worker protections.

Later on Saturday, I joined hundreds of Virginians at U.S. Senator Mark Warner’s Annual Pig Roast in King George County. A tradition filled with old and new friends, the excitement surrounding this November’s election was extraordinary. Together, we are charting a strong, new course for our Commonwealth.

On Sunday, I had the privilege of joining the congregation of Sixth Mount Zion Baptist Church in worship. Led by Pastor Reverend Tyrone Nelson, this historic church has been a cornerstone in the Richmond community and continues its passionate ministry focused on social justice, civil rights, and community service.

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Yesterday marked the recognition of Indigenous Peoples' Day, as we celebrated and honored the Indigenous nations that have contributed so much to the history, cultures, and communities of the Commonwealth and country. The holiday also acknowledges the ongoing need for reconciliation, healing, and partnership. Information about the Indigenous tribes in Virginia is available through the Office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth. 

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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Friends of Ghazala Hashmi
PO Box 72923
Richmond, VA 23235
United States

GhazalaHashmi.com

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