State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi spoke with small business owners in Del Ray during a last-minute campaign stop today (Monday) as she vies to be Virginia’s next lieutenant governor.
Joined by State Sen. Adam Ebbin, (D-39), the Democratic candidate made appearances at Tops of Old Town, St. Elmo’s Coffee Pub, Stardust Vintage and Gift and others along Mount Vernon Avenue. There, she heard business owners’ concerns and lamented the effects of federal layoffs and the government shutdown in Northern Virginia.
“[These events] are really impacting our small businesses in a significant way,” Hashmi said. “It’s creating a lot of crisis points, and then the ancillary issues that emerge.”
In conversation with Del Ray Hardware owner Jay Portlance, she addressed nationwide disruptions to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
“We were just talking with [Portlance] about how he’s providing produce to area community centers, and there’s still not enough,” Hashmi said. “As large-hearted and loving as community members are, we shouldn’t be relying on charitable donations to feed a hungry population.”
“That is the necessary work of government, and we need to make sure we address that,” she added.
Portlance, who also owns the Del Ray Farmhouse Market and Garden, told ALXnow he was touched by that Hashmi’s visit.
“She asked me straight questions, and I gave her straight answers,” he said. “I think it speaks volumes that she took the time to make the visit. I can imagine how busy her calendar is right now.”
Afterward, Hashmi attended a canvassing kickoff event in Carlyle.
Tomorrow, she’ll face Republican John Reid on the ballot. The race is close, with an Oct. 30 Roanoke College poll putting Hashmi ahead 42% to 40%, which is within a 4% margin of error.
Reid, a conservative radio talk show host, is appearing at events in Virginia Beach and Manassas today with Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin, gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears and Attorney General Jason Miyares.
Hashmi’s visit to Del Ray follows a campaign event there last week by Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger.
