VA 1st | Qasim Rashid: Bridging the Divide

We set out to find candidates running on a platform for change. Turns out, our search lead us first to our own backyard. Qasim Rashid is running for Congress in Virginia’s 1st district and he is definitely a candidate to watch and support!

This week’s girltalk outlines many of the reasons we’re behind Qasim Rashid’s campaign. Read on and be sure to tune in this weekend to get a closer look at the candiate. We will be doing a one on one video chat with him - you’re going to love what you learn.

Who is Qasim Rashid? 

Qasim Rashid is running for Congress in Virginia’s 1st district, against incumbent Rob Wittman. Rashid is an immigrant, a father and husband, and a human rights lawyer who spent years defending sexual assault survivors. In his own words, he is running for congress because, “I benefited from the American dream. I am running for Congress to protect the American dream, to pass the dream onto our children, and to open the dream up to those from whom it has been withheld.”

“I benefited from the American dream. I am running for Congress to protect the American dream, to pass the dream onto our children, and to open the dream up to those from whom it has been withheld.”

We first heard about Qasim after he attended an anti-Muslim event in Warrenton, Virginia. The event was held a little over a year ago, when Qasim was running for State Senate. It was put together by a hate group, trying to criticize and stop American Muslims running for office. They never expected for Qasim to show up, or the many local citizens (far outnumbering those in the organizer’s crowd) that came to support him and his message of inclusion and compassion. 

Rashid made headlines again, earlier this year. As his campaign has gained momentum he has been subject to racist and xenophobic attacks. To his parents, who came to America so that they would be safe from discrimination because of their religion, Qasim admits that “it is heartbreaking.” But Rashid believes that within hate and division there is also real opportunity. After being the target of a notably hateful tweet, Qasim noticed that the person who wrote it was also in tremendous medical debt. Instead of firing back, or even just ignoring the comment, Qasim decided to extend grace. He donated to his critic’s GoFundMe page, and encouraged his supporters to do the same, re-tweeting the story of the man’s overwhelming medical costs. This gesture raised thousands in hours and helped to relieve the man of his debt.

“As his campaign has gained momentum he has been subject to racist and xenophobic attacks. To his parents, who came to America so that they would be safe from discrimination because of their religion, Qasim admits, “it’ is heartbreaking.” ”

The congressman Rashid is running against, Rob Wittman, has held the seat since 2007. He is adamantly anti-choice and has promised to defund Planned Parenthood. Despite having worked in public health, Wittman refuses to support any sort of government-run health care system and has actively pushed against plans like the Affordable Care Act. One of the top priorities we spoke about with Qasim was the issue of getting internet access to rural communities. Qasim said of Wittman, he has “paid lip service to this critical problem.” 

“One of the top priorities we spoke about with Qasim was the issue of getting internet access to rural communities. Qasim said of Wittman, he has “paid lip service to this critical problem.”

We spoke a bit with Qasim about his historic campaign, and about the difference between diversity and representation. He explained his personal experience has taught him, it’s one thing to have a diverse group of faces in the room, it is another for those people to have agency over decisions being made that affect their lives.

“...he explained his personal experience has taught him, it’s one thing to have a diverse group of faces in the room, it is another for those people to have agency over decisions being made that affect their lives. ”

It’s why he stepped away from corporate America; he knew that despite his face being seen, his voice and the voice of others, were not being heard or considered. He explained that representation is about having diverse voices with power in the room where decisions are being made. He left his corporate job and turned to human rights law and advocacy so he could represent those who are so often not being heard. But he admits that being an advocate can leave you in a constant state of frustration. He knew to make real progress, he would have to affect policy and that meant running for congress. Qasim's commitment is to represent the people in his district by listening to their diverse voices and actually making substantive and systematic change that makes their lives better.

How can you support Qasim Rashid this November? 

Whether or not you live in Virginia’s first district, you can support and get involved in Qasim’s campaign. You can volunteer with his campaign, phonebank, e-canvas, donate, etc. To learn more about Qasim, where to donate, and how to get involved, go to our Voter Guide 2020.