Delegate Sam Rasoul of Roanoke has a successful career in public service, and looks to continue to ascend as he is running for Lieutenant Governor.

The child of Muslim Palestinian immigrants, Rasoul’s experiences as an ethnic and religious minority, have informed his perspective on life and his approach to politics. He values building bridges wherever he is able and working with all people to serve his community and increase people’s quality of life.

Since 2014 Rasoul has introduced and carried the Green New Deal in the Virginia House of Delegates. As Vice-Chair of the Health Committee, he has championed healthcare reform from volunteer healthcare to health equity in Virginia. Through various budget amendments, he has worked to expand healthcare access across the state.

Recently, we spoke with Rasoul regarding what it meant to gain the endorsements of civil rights activists such as former Fairfax NAACP President Shirley Ginwright and organizations like CASA in Action. “People who have been on the front-line elevating justice mean so much, and we know that this is a calling for us to ensure that we are standing arm and arm with our brothers and sisters in justice to achieve the progress that we now have,” he said.

Rasoul has pushed for police reform as well. In 2020, he introduced legislation requiring video and audio recordings of violent police incidents to be made public within fifteen days. “What people want is transparency and accountability and we need to let people know no one is above the law,” he said. 

He has also fought to protect Black and brown students from the effects of systemic racism and ensure that all students may protest. “We can say that in VA we want anti-racist policies in our school divisions,” said Rasoul. “Being proactive on the actions that need to occur is what we’re about.” 

Being able to obtain bi-partisanship is one of his greatest strengths, as he highlights how he worked across the aisle to get the legislation passed. “It was a great example of having young Democrats, Republicans and teachers. Having kids involved in the justice process is important. Some of the best learning is being on the front lines.”

The environment is another issue in which he has led the charge upon, so how can the Green New Deal, which he has championed, help to deal with environmental racism? “All issues need to be as intersectional as possible, so when we approach these issues it needs to be socially just, and meets the needs of the economy. It’s the best way and sustainable way to provide for the future.”