Overview
- The 61-year-old Democrat defeated Republican John Reid with just over 55% of the vote to about 44%, according to multiple reports.
- AFP and other outlets report she is the first Indian American and first Muslim to win statewide office in Virginia, and the first Muslim woman to win a statewide race in U.S. history.
- Her election creates a vacancy in her Senate seat that will be filled through a special election.
- Born in Hyderabad and raised in Georgia after immigrating at age four, she spent nearly 30 years in higher education before unseating GOP Sen. Glen Sturtevant in 2019 and winning re-election in 2023.
- Her legislative focus has included reproductive rights and education, including a Right to Contraception Act that passed the legislature but was vetoed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.