Sam Rasoul | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Rasoul in 2023 | |
| Member of theVirginia House of Delegates | |
| Assumed office January 8, 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Onzlee Ware |
| Constituency | 11th district (2014–2024) 38th district (2024–present) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Salam Rasoul (1981-06-30)June 30, 1981 (age 44) Warren, Ohio, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Layaly Rasoul |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | Roanoke College (BBA) Hawaii Pacific University (MBA) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Salam "Sam" Rasoul (born June 30, 1981) is an American politician serving as a member of theVirginia House of Delegates from the 38th district.[1] He is one of the threeMuslim members of theVirginia General Assembly.[1] In November 2020, Rasoul announced his candidacy forLieutenant Governor of Virginia in2021.[2] Despite a significant fundraising advantage,[3] Rasoul placed 2nd in the Democratic primary losing toHala Ayala by 64,352 votes.[4]
Rasoul is facing Maynard Keller Jr in his campaign for re-election.
Rasoul was born inWarren, Ohio in 1981, the son ofPalestinian immigrants.[5] He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration fromRoanoke College and aMaster of Business Administration fromHawaii Pacific University.[6]
Rasoul first ran for elected office in2008 when he challenged incumbentRepublicanBob Goodlatte forVirginia's 6th Congressional seat. He lost to Goodlatte by 25 percentage points in the heavily Republican district.[7]
Rasoul was elected to theVirginia House of Delegates in aspecial election held on January 7, 2014. The special election was held to fill the vacancy created by the November 2013 resignation of DelegateOnzlee Ware.[8] After winning the Democratic primary by 44 votes, Rasoul received nearly 70% of the vote over hisRepublican 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 Rural Caucus in the House of Delegates.[11]
He was a candidate in the2021 Virginia lieutenant gubernatorial election.[11] Rasoul lost toHala Ayala. If nominated, he would've been the first Muslim candidate to run statewide anywhere inthe South and the first Virginia statewide nominee fromRoanoke sinceRay Garland, who ran forU.S. Senate in 1971.[12]
Rasoul and his wife, Layaly, have three children.[13]
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Bob Goodlatte | 192,350 | 61.6% | |
| Democratic | Sam Rasoul | 114,367 | 36.6% | |
| Independent | Janice Lee Allen | 5,413 | 1.7% | |
| Write-in | 262 | 0.1% | ||
| Total votes | 312,392 | 100.00% | ||
| Republicanhold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sam Rasoul | 5,129 | 70.2% | |
| Republican | Octavia Lyvonne Johnson | 2,166 | 29.6% | |
| Write-in | 14 | 0.2% | ||
| Total votes | 7,309 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sam Rasoul (inc.) | 11,216 | 96.2% | |
| Write-in | 447 | 3.8% | ||
| Total votes | 11,663 | 100.00% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sam Rasoul (inc.) | 15,667 | 96.93% | |
| write-ins | 496 | 3.07% | ||
| Total votes | 16,163 | 100% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sam Rasoul (inc.) | 10,269 | 94.38% | |
| write-ins | 611 | 5.62% | ||
| Total votes | 10,880 | 100% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Sam Rasoul (inc.) | 14,532 | 64.5% | |
| Republican | Charlie Nave | 7,963 | 35.3% | |
| write-ins | 37 | 0.2% | ||
| Total votes | 22,532 | 100% | ||
| Democratichold | ||||