Virginia’s Democratic primary for lieutenant governor features several candidates, with the Richmond region playing a prominent role as two of the leading for the state’s second-highest office.

Former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney and state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi bring extensive public service records and deep local connections to a competitive field vying for the state’s second-highest office.

Both candidates responded to questions from the Richmond Free Press covering critical state issues, including education, economic equity, criminal justice, and housing, along with inquiries tailored to their backgrounds and experiences. Their answers provide insight into their leadership approach and the principles that would guide their work as lieutenant governor.

 Ghazala Hashmi
 

Why are you running for lieutenant governor, and what unique perspective would you bring to the role?

I am running for lieutenant governor for many of the same reasons that I first ran for the state Senate in 2019: to speak out and stand up for those individuals and communities that have been historically marginalized.

Given the reality of the chaos that is happening in Washington, D.C., the role of state leaders has become even more important and critical. By default, protecting public education, access to health care, protections for civil rights, the environment, our children from gun violence and more are the full responsibilities of state leaders and state legislatures. Virginia needs an executive team that is ready to respond effectively to the Trump administration on Day One. With six years of experience in the Virginia Senate, I am prepared to serve as the president of the Senate.

What are your top three priorities if elected, and how would you work with the General Assembly to achieve them?

1. Fully funding public education and lowering the costs of postsecondary credentials and college degrees: All children in Virginia should be guaranteed quality public education that prepares them for well-paying jobs or higher education. I will continue to work to invest in schools, students, educators and support staff. I will also continue efforts to ensure that we develop paid internships, apprenticeships and workforce training. I will work to lower tuition costs to make college more affordable.

2. Ensuring access to health care and reproductive health care rights: Given federal threats, protecting Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act is a top priority. The loss of Medicaid funding will leave vulnerable Virginians without access to critical health care and impact our entire health system. I will continue my efforts to provide all children with health care coverage, regardless of documentation status. I will work to address health care disparities by continuing to support the work of doulas, midwives, community health workers and remote patient care. I will fight to protect women’s reproductive freedom, including abortion care, contraception and affordable fertility treatments while also improving perinatal care for moms and babies. I am proud to be the author of the Right to Contraception Act and the only candidate endorsed by abortion rights groups.

3. Fighting for housing as a basic human right: All Virginians deserve safe, habitable and affordable housing. I will continue my work to expand higher-density housing development, more affordable housing, financial products that help first-time homebuyers, protections for tenants and to decrease eviction rates.

As a current two-term state senator, I have already been focused on legislative and policy work in each of these areas. I have successfully passed legislation in these priority areas and have built a record of working with a wide range of organizations, state agencies, national partners and my colleagues in the General Assembly to make progress in creating an equitable future for all Virginians.

How do you plan to address educational disparities and underfunded public schools across the Commonwealth, particularly in underserved communities?

As a recent statewide audit highlighted, our state has underfunded public education by more than $6 billion. For many localities, this underfunding results in restrictions on teacher aides, larger class sizes, a loss of counselors and limitations on resources. For the past several General Assembly sessions, I have worked to address educational disparities by introducing legislation and budget amendments to improve outcomes for all students, including those with special needs, English-language learners and those in Title I schools. I will continue to focus on investing in schools and students. I will also continue my efforts to ensure that we develop paid internships, apprenticeships and workforce training. I will work to lower tuition costs to make college more affordable. We can pay for these initiatives through a variety of approaches, including closing corporate tax loopholes and “rightsizing” our tax structures that currently place the greatest burden on middle class and working families.

What is your stance on criminal justice reform and what policies would you support to improve equity and accountability in Virginia’s justice system?

In 2020, I supported numerous criminal justice reform measures that sought to address issues of racial and economic disparity in Virginia. That year, I successfully passed legislation to allow localities to establish civilian review boards. Additional legislation successfully passed that year included a ban on no-knock search warrants, implementation of crisis response teams, elimination of the jury penalty, elimination of the death penalty and more. These actions were a start to addressing disparities in the criminal justice system. Additional meaningful changes that I will tackle as lieutenant governor include the challenges that come with the intersectionality of poverty, systemic structures of racism and the loss of jobs and opportunities.

How do you propose Virginia can better address housing affordability and displacement, especially in cities such as Richmond?

As a member of the Joint Commission on Housing, I have worked on our need to increase affordable housing and also to strengthen tenant protections. Amending zoning regulations to expand options for higher-density housing are good initial steps. Over the past several years, I have sought to strengthen various tenant protections, prevent evictions and give tenant rights to residents of mobile home parks. I also wrote the Faith in Housing Act to allow the development of affordable housing on land or property owned by religious and nonprofit organizations, and I plan to continue to build support for that bill as lieutenant governor.

What steps would you take to expand access to affordable health care, including mental health services, for Virginians?

As the chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, I have introduced legislation focused on addressing implicit bias in health care, remote patient monitoring services for pregnant individuals, expansion and support for community health care workers and mental health, protections for Medicaid expansion in light of recent federal actions, expansion of psychiatric hospital beds, telehealth services, equity in access to contraceptive care and more. I also focused on addressing expansion of mental health services by passing legislation to ensure that Virginia joins interstate compacts for licensed counselors and licensed social workers. I will continue to work on these issues as lieutenant governor.

How would you support economic development in historically marginalized communities, including Black and rural populations?

Having grown up in a rural community in Georgia, I’ve seen the challenges so many of our rural regions are facing. We need to make comprehensive investments in rural and Black communities, including in education, child care, opportunities for small businesses and incentives for larger ones. One of the jobs of the lieutenant governor is to serve on the board of the Center for Rural Virginia, and I will engage in that role to build economic development opportunities within rural communities, such as focusing on the development of a workforce ready for modern manufacturing and the emerging technology industries.

You were the first Muslim woman elected to the Virginia Senate. How has that experience shaped your leadership style and policy priorities?

As the first Muslim elected to the Virginia Senate and the first Muslim woman in the General Assembly, I see a direct correlation between my faith and my policy priorities. My faith places emphasis on social justice: feed those who are hungry; take care of children and the elderly; provide shelter to those in need; treat those who are ill; and respond to everyone with compassion. Translating these concepts of faith into policy priorities is evident in my legislation and my work in the General Assembly. My legislative record shows my commitment to the efforts to improve housing, health care, education, the environment and civil rights. My leadership style is defined by listening, collaborating, learning, researching and mentoring others.

As an educator and former college administrator, how would your background help shape state education policy, particularly around higher education access?

My professional background and my work as chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee help shape many of my efforts on education policies. As lieutenant governor, I will continue my efforts in the following areas:

• Reduce barriers to access by advocating for targeted financial aid and wraparound support services, and by pushing for policies that address structural inequities such as expanded support for first-generation and underrepresented students.

• Focus on workforce development and work-based learning by championing partnerships between community colleges, industry and workforce boards and by supporting investments in career and technical education and pathways that integrate academic and career preparation.

• Bridge PK-12 and higher education by promoting early college and dual enrollment opportunities and by aligning PK-12 standards with college readiness expectations to reduce remediation.

You’ve introduced legislation around environmental justice. What future legislation in this area would you push as lieutenant governor?

The effects of human-caused climate change are happening now, and Virginia must lead on critical environmental policies to address the concerns of the climate catastrophes that face us and ensure that we protect our precious natural resources for future generations. Key priorities include reducing carbon emissions and transitioning to renewable energy, shoring up coastal resiliency programs, protecting communities from the threats of flooding and addressing the concerns of environmental justice.

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 Levar L. Stoney
 

Why are you running for lieutenant governor, and what unique perspective would you bring to the role?

I’m running for lieutenant governor because I believe every Virginian deserves a fair shot at success and I know what it’s like to need one. I was raised by my grandmother on Social Security and a father who worked construction and cleaned schools. I didn’t come from power or privilege. I came from a people who taught me the value of hard work, compassion for the least and the courage to stand up for what is right.

As mayor of Richmond, I led with those values. We cut poverty by 33%, raised school funding by nearly 60%, built new schools, invested in nearly 9,000 affordable homes and fixed Richmond’s broken roads.

I brought down every Confederate monument in the former capital of the Confederacy and stood up to Donald Trump when it counted. I am the only candidate in this race with executive leadership experience and a record of delivering real change. I am a proven fighter who will deliver results and give workers and families the fair shot they deserve.

What are your top three priorities if elected and how would you work with the General Assembly to achieve them?

My top priorities are investing in public education to help children recover from the pandemic, expanding housing that is abundant and affordable and defending working Virginians from attacks on our economy and values. I will push to fund the true cost of education, including high-dosage tutoring and support for students with the greatest needs. I will champion a statewide housing strategy that boosts supply, cuts red tape and removes barriers to construction to lower housing costs. And I will stand up to Donald Trump’s agenda by protecting federal workers and those most at risk if the social safety net is ripped away because everyone deserves a fair shot.

How do you plan to address educational disparities and underfunded public schools across the Commonwealth, particularly in underserved communities?

Every child in Virginia deserves a great education, no matter their ZIP code. That starts with fixing the state’s outdated funding formula so schools in higher-need areas get the support they deserve. As mayor of Richmond, I increased local school funding by nearly 60 percent and financed five new schools. I’ll bring that same urgency statewide, fighting to fund the true cost of education, more high-dose tutoring and modern school facilities. Our kids only get one shot at childhood. We owe it to them to invest in their future now, not someday, not later but now.

What is your stance on criminal justice reform and what policies would you support to improve equity and accountability in Virginia’s justice system?

I believe in a justice system rooted in fairness, accountability and transparency. As mayor, I worked to reimagine public safety by updating our ban on chokeholds, partnering with City Council to establish Richmond’s first Civilian Review Board and implementing the Marcus Alert to improve responses to mental health crises. Since then, behavioral health teams have been paired with officers on over 1,000 emergency calls. We also expanded transparency by committing to the timely release of body camera footage in officer-involved shootings and increased public access to data. As lieutenant governor, I’ll build on that progress: protecting safety, ensuring accountability and rebuilding trust.

How do you propose Virginia can better address housing affordability and displacement, especially in cities such as Richmond?

Virginia is in the middle of a housing shortage. We have over 1 million renters across the Commonwealth and nearly half spend more than a third of their income just to keep a roof over their heads. As mayor of Richmond, I did not just talk about the problem, I delivered results. We created a long-term growth plan, invested over $70 million in affordable housing and helped add nearly 9,000 new homes. I proposed the RVA Stay Plan to help residents stay in their homes as neighborhoods changed. As lieutenant governor, I will fight for a Marshall Plan for housing that cuts red tape, boosts supply and lowers costs. And I will stand up to the Wall Street raiders buying up single-family homes that should belong to Virginia’s working families. Everyone deserves a fair shot at housing.

What steps would you take to expand access to affordable health care, including mental health services, for Virginians?

Health care is not a privilege—it is a lifeline. I was raised by a grandmother who depended on Social Security and a father who worked without health care coverage, so I know what it means to rely on the basics to get by. Nearly 2 million Virginians count on Medicaid or FAMIS, but Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” would rip that care away and put lives at risk. As mayor, I created Virginia’s first Health Equity Fund to close gaps in care. As lieutenant governor, I’ll fight to repeal the Medicaid trigger law, crack down on pharmacy benefit managers who drive up drug prices and support the creation of a Drug Affordability Board to deliver real relief. I’ll lead with compassion and courage because protecting people’s health is a moral obligation, not a political calculation.

How would you support economic development in historically marginalized communities, including Black and rural populations?

We can and must use economic development to give historically marginalized communities a fair shot. As mayor, we made equity a requirement, not an afterthought. Every major project proposal, including the Diamond District, the largest development in Richmond’s history, prioritized a commitment to inclusive opportunities for Black and brown owned businesses and set clear local hiring goals. We invested in underserved neighborhoods and supported small business growth because opportunity should never depend on your ZIP code. But today, those values are under attack. Donald Trump is rolling back DEI programs, putting marginalized communities at risk of being shut out. As lieutenant governor, we will fight for continued broadband investment in rural areas, prepare workers for emerging technologies and support local entrepreneurs with grants and streamlined permitting.

How do you reflect on your tenure as mayor of Richmond? What accomplishments were you most proud of and what would you do differently?

Over eight years, I led Richmond through a global pandemic and a national reckoning on racial justice, and we made bold, consequential decisions to improve people’s lives. We reduced poverty by 33%, brought down every Confederate monument in the former capital of the Confederacy and secured Richmond’s first AAA credit rating, a reflection of sound fiscal management and long-term investment. We increased school funding by nearly 60% and built or financed five new schools. We invested over $70 million in affordable housing and created or preserved nearly 9,000 affordable homes. Violent crime fell by 25%. We improved bus service, made transit fare free and transformed our streets. Where 70% of roads were once rated poor, 75% were rated good when I left office. Were there setbacks? Of course. But I stood by my values, took on tough fights and delivered real results.

How did leading Richmond during the racial justice protests in 2020 shape your view on public leadership and police accountability?

Leading Richmond during the 2020 protests was the most difficult and defining moment of my time in public service. I remember being told to pick a side—between those defending law enforcement at all costs and those calling to abolish it. I chose Richmond. A Richmond that wants police in their neighborhoods but expects the same dignity, respect and accountability every community deserves. That summer, I marched with protesters and stood before angry crowds, both demonstrators and officers. Sometimes, you don’t choose the moment—the moment chooses you. That’s why I brought down every Confederate monument in the former capital of the Confederacy. We updated our ban on chokeholds, created Richmond’s first Civilian Review Board and launched the Marcus Alert system. Albeit difficult, that summer made me a better leader.

Richmond faced criticism over public housing and city infrastructure under your administration. What did you learn from that experience and how would it inform your work as lieutenant governor?

I spent a lot of time visiting Richmond’s public housing communities and saw conditions no Virginian should have to endure. That experience taught me a hard truth: the issue isn’t just concentrated poverty—it’s the aging, neglected infrastructure residents are forced to live with. That’s why we made transforming Creighton Court a top priority. We began by replacing the old Armstrong High School with the first phase of mixed-income housing. As those homes were completed, we began razing Creighton itself and building new, dignified homes on the same land. In total, we committed over $26 million to this effort. I also championed the creation of the Central Virginia Transportation Authority, which gave our region the ability to invest in transportation infrastructure like Richmond’s long-neglected roads—where the share rated good rose from 30% to 75%. As lieutenant governor, I’ll fight for that same level of partnership and investment across the Commonwealth to give Virginians a fair shot.