July 29, 2024 Newsletter
Dear friends,
In this week’s newsletter, I extend gratitude to President Joe Biden for his decades of public service to our nation and enthusiastically endorse Vice President Kamala Harris for the Democratic nomination. I also share some highlights from the Southern Legislative Conference, provide information about the upcoming State Tax Holiday, and spotlight select community engagements from this past week. Thank you for reading this newsletter and staying informed.
Supporting Kamala Harris
Last Sunday’s news that President Biden has decided to withdraw from the Democratic Party’s nomination of its presidential candidate sent shock waves throughout the entire political spectrum, both domestically and abroad. My full statement on President Biden’s decision not to seek the Democratic nomination outlines the significantly consequential impacts of his presidency on Virginia and the nation.
Within minutes of that announcement, the President also gave his full endorsement to Vice President Kamala Harris. Throughout this past week, we have seen the tremendous surge of excitement around VP Harris who, within the first few days of her campaign, broke all records in fundraising and also (apparently) broke Zoom. The Vice President’s strong appeal extends across multiple demographics of voters: women, the generationally-distinct (Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z), Rural, Black, AANHPI, and many others. As I have been traveling across Virginia, I hear enthusiasm and excitement from the full spectrum of voters, including those who were fully invested in re-electing Joe Biden.
I am proud to endorse the Vice President in this historic nomination. As a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in August, I have already provided my support on the nomination ballot. Importantly for me is the opportunity to elect our first woman to the highest office, and a woman who is exceptionally qualified for the position.
Additionally, in personal terms, Kamala Harris’ nomination is significant for me as an Indian-American. The Vice President’s parents and their respective journeys to this country weave together many strands of diasporic communities. When she speaks about visiting her maternal grandfather in India and listening to him and his friends discuss politics, Harris’ narratives remind me of my own experiences of visiting India as a child and time spent with grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins.
The Caucuses and other organizations to which I belong have fully endorsed Kamala Harris, including the Virginia Senate Democratic Caucus, the Virginia Delegation to the Democratic National Convention, the Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus (VAAPIC) Fund, and many others. The Democratic National Convention, to be held in August, will be the final step in the confirmation process for the presidential ticket.
Southern Legislative Conference
Last Sunday through Thursday, I attended the Council of State Government - Southern Legislative Conference in West Virginia. This conference brings together 15 member states from across our Southern region to discuss legislation and to promote cooperation on common issues and concerns: education, childcare, behavioral and mental health, transportation, energy and much more.
As Vice Chair of the CSG South Education Committee, I was honored to lead its session on artificial intelligence and educational technologies in classrooms. We heard from subject matter experts who highlighted both the challenges and the concerns of the rapid expansion of AI in every sector, including education.
Other sessions of the Education Committee addressed student mental health and behavioral issues, and opportunities for better supporting children. We also shared the legislative efforts in each of our states, allowing us to compare notes on policy matters.
Virginia Sales Tax Holiday
This coming weekend (August 2-4), Virginians’ will enjoy the annual Virginia Sales Tax Holiday. Items such as school supplies, clothes, emergency preparedness materials, and more can be purchased tax-free. A list of qualifying items is available through the Virginia Department of Taxation.
Select Community Engagements
Last Friday evening, I attended the Virginia Housing Alliance’s Annual Award Ceremony to celebrate the individuals and organizations dedicated to affordable housing development, advocacy, and homeless services throughout the Commonwealth.
I was delighted to join many friends and supporters on Saturday for a meet and greet in Richmond, highlighting my campaign for Lieutenant Governor. I am immensely thankful to Delegate Betsy Carr, Richmond City Councilmember Andreas Addison, and our amazing host and co-hosts for bringing us together for an incredible event.
My staff joined volunteers at Cardinal Elementary School, located in Senate District 15, to greet students attending the Richmond Public Schools 200 (RPS200) program for their first day of school. Students and families were eager to get into classrooms, meet with teachers, and lay the foundation for a successful academic year. RPS200 offers extended-year school, helping to prevent learning loss and enhance academic achievement.
On Thursday, I attended the preview of the 2025 opening of the Shockoe Institute. This dedicated space in Richmond’s Shockoe Bottom—once an epicenter of Richmond’s slave trade—will deepen visitors' understanding of the impacts of slavery in Virginia and in the rest of the country.
Later that evening, I joined the Powhatan County Democratic Committee for the 2024 Campaign Canvass Kick-off Rally. Powhatan Democrats are ready to put in the hard, necessary work to help Democratic candidates succeed this November and beyond.
In my last stop on Thursday, I joined more than 1300 participants for the Fired Up! Virginia Women for Harris Zoom. We had quite a robust and engaged conversation.
Connecting With My Office
My office can be reached at the following:
Email: SenatorHashmi@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: 804.698.7515
If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here.
— Ghazala
