In a striking political victory that defied conventional wisdom, Sam Rasoul, a Palestinian-American Muslim Democrat, has secured a commanding re-election to Virginia's state legislature despite facing intense criticism over his condemnation of Israel's actions in Gaza.
A Resounding Victory Against the Odds
Sam Rasoul, currently the longest-serving Muslim state lawmaker in the United States, achieved a remarkable 70% victory in Tuesday's election, strengthening his majority in a district where the city of Roanoke leans Democratic while surrounding areas remain deeply conservative. The 44-year-old legislator, who has represented Roanoke City since 2014, saw his vote share increase by more than 5% compared to his previous election four years ago.
Rasoul's triumph came despite months of attack advertisements and rebukes from fellow party leaders within Virginia. He faced accusations of hate speech and antisemitism from multiple quarters, including his Jewish Republican opponent running as an independent, pro-Israel organisations, and senior members of his own Democratic party.
The Controversial Stance That Defined the Campaign
The controversy centred on Rasoul's characterisation of Israel's military operations in Gaza, which he described as "the most evil cleansing in human history" and directly attributed to Zionism, which he labelled "a supremacist ideology created to destroy and conquer everything and everyone in its way." These comments referenced the killing of at least 70,000 Palestinians in Gaza since October 2023.
In July 2025, the attacks intensified when Rasoul shared a picture online of award-winning Palestinian writer Omar El Akkad's book One Day, Everyone Will Have Always Been Against This. The politician explained that his social media post aimed to "clarify that the genocide in Gaza has nothing to do with Judaism, but rather the result of Zionism."
Beyond Single Issues: The Real Recipe for Electoral Success
Despite the prominence of Gaza in the campaign discourse, Rasoul believes his victory demonstrates that voters value honesty and hard work above specific policy positions. "It's not that the genocide is at the top of everyone's list, but issues like Gaza are proxies for people's gauge on our moral compass," he told the Guardian.
The Democrat, who belongs to the most progressive faction of his party, emphasised that "good organising and deep, trusted relationships that win elections because people are really only looking for two things. Are you being honest with me? And will you work hard for me?"
Rasoul has put affordability at the centre of his political agenda, arguing that "over the past 40 years, the Democratic party was so desperate to please special interests, that we've lost touch with middle- and working-class Americans." He advocates for bold solutions addressing housing costs and utility expenses, which he believes resonate more deeply with constituents than political rhetoric.
A Personal Journey Through American Politics
Rasoul's political career has been marked by challenges beyond the recent controversy over Gaza. Throughout his time in public service, he has faced persistent Islamophobia. During his first campaign for office, a widely distributed mailer falsely accused him of receiving funding from the terrorist organisation Al-Qaida.
In his unsuccessful 2021 bid for lieutenant governor, Rasoul was singled out during a debate when asked if he would represent his constituents "regardless of faith and beliefs" - a question that prompted accusations of religious discrimination and resulted in an apology from the television station that hosted the debate.
Raised in Virginia's Roanoke Valley, where his Palestinian parents settled after leaving the occupied West Bank following the 1967 war, Rasoul brings a unique perspective to Virginia's part-time General Assembly. With a background in health administration and strategic planning for non-profits, he represents an ethnically diverse district of approximately 86,000 predominantly Christian constituents.
Rasoul is one of only three Muslim members in Virginia's legislative body and among just seven state lawmakers of Palestinian heritage nationwide, alongside federal Representative Rashida Tlaib.
Progressive Alliances and Future Directions
The Virginia Democrat has forged connections with other progressive figures, including New York City's newly elected mayor Zohran Mamdani, who first contacted Rasoul in November 2023 - one month after Israel launched its full-scale invasion of Gaza. Mamdani invited Rasoul to participate in a hunger strike outside the White House, an offer the more established politician accepted after researching his then relatively unknown colleague.
Rasoul sees his victory, alongside successes like Mamdani's, as evidence that "the establishment voices are too often on the wrong side of history, and representing the wrong interests." He believes voters are "desperate for bold solutions that make them feel like we're genuinely batting for them."
Reflecting on what his substantial margin of victory means for progressive politics, Rasoul concluded: "A 70% victory in the Bible belt of Virginia for a Palestinian Muslim is really a validation, beyond just Democrats winning, that you can be bold on the Gaza genocide and still be victorious."
His approach to campaigning - showing up at community events, church gatherings, and school functions - demonstrates his belief that electoral success comes from building genuine connections rather than focusing solely on contentious issues. "We show up at their doors, to their fish fries, at their churches, and to their schools, and they know that I'm ready to work hard for them," Rasoul stated. "That's how you win elections."
