Special election for Hashmi’s seat slated for Jan. 6

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — A special election to replace Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi has been set for Jan. 6, 2026.

Virginia Senate's President Pro tempore, Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Va.), announced the special election to fill Hashmi's seat on Tuesday, Dec. 2.

This comes after Hashmi made history as Virginia’s first Indian American lieutenant governor and the first Muslim ever elected to any statewide office after the 2025 General Election.

According to her resignation letter, Hashmi will resign from her post representing Senate District 15 on Jan. 17, 2026, when she officially takes office as Virginia's 43rd lieutenant governor.

"The past six years of serving as the state Senator for the constituents of Richmond City and Chesterfield County have been an incredible honor," Hashmi wrote in her letter to Lucas. "I look forward to continuing to work with you and my colleagues in both the Virginia Senate and the House of Delegates in my new role."

Candidates looking to file for the vacant seat should do so by 5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 7, per Lucas's announcement.