Sam Rasoul Explained

Sam Rasoul
Office:Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
Constituency:11th district (2014–2024)
38th district (2024–present)
Term Start:January 8, 2014
Predecessor:Onzlee Ware
Birth Name:Salam Rasoul
Birth Date:30 June 1981
Birth Place:Warren, Ohio, U.S.
Party:Democratic
Spouse:Layaly Rasoul
Children:3
Education:Roanoke College (BBA)
Hawaii Pacific University (MBA)

Salam "Sam" Rasoul (born June 30, 1981) is an American politician serving as a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 38th district.[1] He is one of the two Muslim members of the Virginia General Assembly.[1] In November 2020, Rasoul announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2021.[2] Despite a significant fundraising advantage,[3] Rasoul lost the Democratic primary to Hala Ayala by a large margin.[4]

Early life and education

Rasoul was born in Warren, Ohio in 1981, the son of Palestinian immigrants.[5] He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Roanoke College and a Master of Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University.[6]

Career

Rasoul first ran for elected office in 2008 when he challenged incumbent Republican Bob Goodlatte for Virginia's 6th Congressional seat. He lost to Goodlatte by 25 percentage points in the heavily Republican district.[7]

Rasoul was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in a special election held on January 7, 2014. The special election was held to fill the vacancy created by the November 2013 resignation of Delegate Onzlee Ware.[8] After winning the Democratic primary by 44 votes, Rasoul received nearly 70% of the vote over his Republican opponent Octavia Johnson in the general election.[9] He was inducted into office on January 8, 2014.[10]

Rasoul is a member of the Legislative Black Caucus and the Rural Caucus in the House of Delegates.[11]

He was a candidate in the 2021 Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election. Rasoul lost to Hala Ayala. If nominated, he would've been the first Muslim candidate to run statewide anywhere in the South and the first Virginia statewide nominee from Roanoke since Ray Garland, who ran for U.S. Senate in 1971.[12]

Personal life

Rasoul and his wife, Layaly, have three children.[13]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Richmond Sunlight » Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke). www.richmondsunlight.com. November 30, 2015.
  2. Web site: WDBJ. Sarah Irby . Delegate Sam Rasoul announces run for lieutenant governor. 2020-12-12. www.nbc12.com. en-US.
  3. Web site: Times-Dispatch. ANDREW CAIN Richmond. Rasoul tops fundraising for lieutenant governor. 2021-06-09. Richmond Times-Dispatch. en.
  4. Web site: DDHQ Election Results. 2021-06-09. results.decisiondeskhq.com. en.
  5. Web site: ColorsVA. November 30, 2015. colorsva.pub.
  6. Web site: VA Del. Sam Rasoul. 2021-05-10. Millennial Action Project. en-US.
  7. Web site: House clerks's office.
  8. Web site: Sam Rasoul easily takes Roanoke House of Delegates seat . . January 8, 2014 . January 8, 2014 . Yoon, Erica.
  9. Web site: Special Election in Virginia: Another Cliffhanger . . January 8, 2014 . January 8, 2014 . Ballhous, Rebecca.
  10. Web site: Rasoul goes to work in Richmond . The Roanoke Times . January 8, 2014 . January 8, 2014 . Sluss, Michael.
  11. News: Vozzella. Laura. Virginia's crowded race for lieutenant governor draws its 10th candidate. en-US. Washington Post. 2020-10-21. 0190-8286.
  12. Web site: Editorial: Rasoul could make history in more ways than one. 2021-05-11. Roanoke Times. en.
  13. Web site: The Voter's Self Defense System. Project Vote Smart. November 30, 2015. en-US.

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