Episode Overview

Podcast: The MeidasTouch Podcast
Episode: Virginia State Senator Hashimi Discusses Lieutenant Governor Race
Air Date: November 2, 2025
Main Theme:
The Meiselas brothers sit down with Virginia State Senator and lieutenant governor candidate, Gazala Hashmi, to discuss the volatile political landscape in Virginia ahead of the November 4th election. The episode delves into rising economic challenges under MAGA-aligned leadership, controversial opponents, Hashmi’s personal motives for running, and Virginia Democrats’ fight to protect democracy against Trump-era tactics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Political Climate in Virginia (02:23 – 07:20)

• Highlights of recent protests ("No Kings" events) signifying robust opposition to Trump-aligned policies in Virginia.
• Discussion of key races:
  • Governor: Abigail Spanberger (Democrat) vs. Winsome Earl Sears (MAGA Republican)
  • Lieutenant Governor: Gazala Hashmi as the pro-democracy voice
  • Attorney General and House of Delegates races all critical.
• Economic and social impact:
  • Child poverty rising sharply (clip: 04:07 – 05:00).
  • Federal worker layoffs and the threat of government shutdowns affecting 150,000 Virgninians (05:10 – 06:41).
• Quote:

  “It’s about affordability. It’s about jobs. It’s about empathy. It’s about standing up against the fascism from Donald Trump.” – Ben (06:41)

2. Abigail Spanberger’s Vision (07:20 – 09:00)

• Play of a Spanberger campaign video emphasizing opportunity, security, and rights for Virginia’s families.
• Notable span of values touching on affordable housing, good jobs, quality education, and clean environments.
• Memorable Quote:

  “I want that little girl to know that her rights will be respected as she grows older. And I want her to know any dream… is theirs for the making. Because they are growing up in a commonwealth where the adults… ensured that Virginia is a place of opportunity.” — Abigail Spanberger (08:18)

3. Interview with State Senator Gazala Hashmi (09:00 – 20:51)

A. Challenges Facing Virginia (09:58 – 11:18)

• Hashmi: Trump-era “DOGE” cuts and MAGA economic policies have had serious negative effects:
  • Job losses, especially among federal workers
  • Loss of federal grants impacting businesses
  • Tariffs and cuts impacting Port of Virginia
  • Looming crises around cuts to SNAP and Medicaid
  • Governor Glenn Youngkin’s lack of action
• Quote:

  “All these are creating a perfect storm in Virginia. And we have not seen our Governor, Glenn Youngkin, actually standing up for Virginians.” – Gazala Hashmi (10:52)

B. Opponent’s Controversies & GOP Platform (11:18 – 13:52)

• John Reed’s scandals:
  • Alleged engagement with “slave fetish and potential Nazi porn accounts” and denial of account ownership
  • Calls to close public schools and comparing abortion to slavery
  • Climate change denial
  • Openly gay man against marriage equality
• Quote:

  “He has also supported HR1, the disastrous legislation that is going to strip away health care from over 300,000 Virginians… I'm ready to fight for his rights even if he's not.” – Gazala Hashmi (12:39)

• Noted hypocrisy within the GOP statewide ticket (anti-LGBTQ policies from running mates).

C. Senator Hashmi’s Motivation and Background (13:52 – 16:56)

• Hashmi’s journey: 30 years as a college professor, driven to politics by Trump’s bigotry and divisiveness.
• Advocacy for education, healthcare, housing, and environmental justice.
• The necessity of strong state leadership during turbulent times.
• Quote:

  “I decided to run in 2019 so I could respond to the crisis... And for many of the same reasons, I decided to run for lieutenant governor.” – Gazala Hashmi (15:41)

• Commitment to building a coalition among state Democratic leaders.

D. Virginia Democrats’ Redistricting Strategy to Protect Democracy (16:56 – 20:19)

• Virginia Democrats proactively counter Trump-driven redistricting and gerrymandering seen in other red states.
• Strategic move: opening a special session to introduce a constitutional amendment for “mid-decade redistricting.”
• Ensures any changes to the Constitution will go before Virginia voters.
• Quote:

  “This is actually opening the door for Virginia voters to have a real voice... This is what hundreds of thousands of Virginians have been clamoring for ever since we’ve seen the destruction coming out of the Trump administration.” – Gazala Hashmi (19:45)

4. Campaign Information & Call to Action (20:19 – 20:51)

• Hashmi promotes her campaign site for policy positions and ways to support: gazalaforvirginia.com
• Quote:

  “We’d be delighted to have your listeners take a look… and please ask any questions that they might have.” – Gazala Hashmi (20:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Ben (Host, on what matters to Virginia voters):
  “Enough of these MAGA culture wars and division right now. It’s about affordability. It’s about jobs. It’s about empathy. It’s about standing up against the fascism from Donald Trump.” (06:41)

• Abigail Spanberger (on her vision for Virginia):
  “I want there to be a job that her parents can have... a school for that little girl where she is safe... I want that little girl to know that her rights will be respected as she grows older.” (08:18)

• Gazala Hashmi (on the GOP ticket):
  “He has also supported HR1, the disastrous legislation that is going to strip away critical health care insurance from over 300,000 Virginians... I'm ready to fight for his rights even if he's not.” (12:39)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 02:23: Virginia protests, climate, and stakes of 2025 races
• 04:07: News clip on child poverty and economic impacts
• 05:10: Discussion on federal worker layoffs/shutdown consequences
• 07:20: Abigail Spanberger’s campaign message (audio clip)
• 09:00: Introduction of State Senator Gazala Hashmi
• 09:58: Hashmi on economic impacts of MAGA policies
• 11:18: John Reed’s controversies and GOP platform
• 13:52: Hashmi’s personal and political journey
• 16:56: Virginia Democrats’ redistricting initiative
• 20:19: Hashmi directs listeners to campaign site

Summary Tone & Takeaways

This episode is a passionate, urgent conversation focused on the stakes of Virginia’s upcoming elections—the potential for further economic pain under Trump-aligned politicians, the threat to core rights and democracy, and the importance of turning out for pro-democracy candidates. Senator Hashmi is portrayed as thoughtful, dedicated, and uniquely qualified to meet the moment, while her opponent and the GOP ticket are highlighted as extreme and out of touch with ordinary Virginians.

Listeners are left with clear calls to action: stay informed, mobilize, and support candidates who will fight for jobs, healthcare, education, and rights for all Virginians.