Sam Rasoul is a Virginia House Delegate known across the commonwealth for his grit, truthfulness, and loving approach to politics. As a Democrat who was first was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in January 2014, Rasoul is currently one of the two Muslim members of the Virginia General Assembly. He currently represents Virginia’s 11th House of Delegates district which is made up in part by the City of Roanoke. Recently, the PW Perspective spoke with Delegate Rasoul to learn more about his run to become Virginia’s next Lieutenant Governor.

Sharing a little bit about himself, Rasoul stated, “I’m a child of immigrants, raised in a working-class family. We came to the Roanoke area in the early 80s and have grown up here ever since. That has certainly given me a lot of perspective on how I approach politics, how I raise my own family and the advocacy that we bring in the work that we do. I feel that I have been able to build great relationships with people from all walks of life and I owe that to Virginia giving our immigrant family the opportunity to serve in so many ways.”

“I ran first for the U.S. House back in 2008. My calling to get into politics was always to want to bring a different type of politics. I always believe that we should be using a new age relational organizing model to lean on the politics of trust rather than the politics of fear and division. Fortunately, eight years ago, I had the opportunity to be elected to the Virginia House of Delegates, out here in the western part of the state. Using that [relational organizing] model we kind of shocked Virginia that a religious and ethnic minority like myself [Delegate Rasoul is the son of Palestinian immigrants and a practicing Muslim] would be elected out here in the western part but we won in a 40 point landslide. Validating that there is a better way to win [elections] by appealing to people’s better angels. Now I have the awesome opportunity to run for lieutenant governor and not only to be able to advocate for a lot of the policies that I’ve been very passionately fighting for, the environment, good government initiatives, and healthcare. Beyond that, validating that, in fact, there is a better way to win even at the highest levels in Virginia. We’re running very much a values-based campaign that we’re excited about.”

Rasoul strongly emphasizes the different attitude he brings to politics. We asked him how voters can see that demonstrated in the policies he’s supported, his platform, and his general approach to community outreach.

He said, “Well voting is an emotional decision, not a logical one. We built this whole campaign with our values front and center. My wife and I raised our three kids with: always tell the truth, always be kinds, and never give up. That truth, love, and grit is how the campaign is structured. First by elevating the truth in crowdsourcing ideas into our platform from all across Virginia. So when you go to our platform you will see people’s platform ideas integrated onto our website. That inclusiveness is something that’s important to us. Second, the really loving our neighbor through our field program, as we’re constantly contacting voters, we are asking them if they’re having problems with government services that we can try to case manage. We’ve been able to help hundreds of Virginians just during the course of this campaign. Fundamentally putting them first before anything else. Third, through what we call Virginia grit. Visiting every city and county in Virginia, in person, in a safe way to gather the stories and the struggles of everyday Virginians and bringing those along on the campaign trail. All while wanting to be the first candidate ever elected in Virginia history, 100% funded by individuals only.”

His commitment to individual funding is a significant one and he knows that, he views it as an important way his campaign puts their values into tangible action. There are also specific policies and legislation he’s supported that he believes demonstrates his commitment to his values.

“I’ve been a champion of the Green New Deal here (in Virginia). I’ve carried and authored that for the past few years, really pushing the intersectional approach, where we approach the climate crisis with the sense of urgency it deserves while intentionally uplifting families economically. To me, those things shouldn’t be [mutually] exclusive or separate but should be at the intersection. How can we make these investments to really uplift Virginia families economically? You’ve seen a number of these policies and approaches from me. Second, being vice-chair of the health committee, a number of different health bills that we’ve championed and passed which has reformed everything from the way we do volunteer healthcare to bringing health equity into all parts of Virginia through some of my budget amendments to expanding the scope of practice for various healthcare providers so we can have increased access and health across the commonwealth. So those are some things we’ve passed and championed along the way over the past eight years.”

In terms of what distinguishes Rasoul as a candidate in this race, he states, “Well we’re fortunate to have the most diverse field ever, running for lieutenant governor here in the democratic primary. Everyone brings something to the conversation. For us, we’re able to bring the most experience, a different perspective geographically. Certainly, a lot of the work that we’ve done on healthcare and the environment has allowed us to build a broad coalition of people where I’ve been able to, for example, gather endorsements from the sunrise movement and our revolution to united rule democrats. So lots of folks across the spectrum just endorsing and supporting a better way to win and a better way to engage.”

When asked what he wants constituents to know about him, Rasoul said, “A common thread across much of Virginia has been people feeling forgotten. Whether I have been in Prince William County helping with food drives there or on Eastern shore in Accomack county, Danville, and Lee County, Roanoke, there’s this common thread of people feeling left out and forgotten. Sometimes there’s a divide between the political class and a lot of other folks. What I want to do is be able to do is to genuinely represent all of Virginia. I have proven that there is a better way to win in the past and we want to do our best to uplift all voices for sure.”

As an established member of the Virginia legislature, Rasoul states that he has “worked with every single person running for governor and have a working relationship with them. While they may have different styles, regardless of who wins and hopefully becomes governor of Virginia, I’m a progressive who loves to build coalitions. Regardless of who is elected, I want to make sure I can do everything I can to help the incoming governor. Whomever he or she may be and uplifting all Virginians. At that point, we certainly need to be working together.”

In making his case for a state-wide position, Rasoul believes that “building more of those geographic coalitions is more of the work that needs to be done.”

You can learn more about Sam Rasoul on his website, and on Facebook.