Sam Rasoul

Sam Rasoul (born June 30, 1981) is an American politician. A Democrat, Rasoul was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in January 2014.[1] He is the one of two Muslim members of the Virginia General Assembly.[1] He represents the Virginia's 11th House of Delegates district, which is made up of part of the City of Roanoke. In November 2020, Rasoul announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2021.[2]

Sam Rasoul
Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 11th district
Assumed office
January 8, 2014
Preceded byOnzlee Ware
Personal details
Born
Salam Rasoul

(1981-06-30) June 30, 1981
Warren, Ohio, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Layaly Rasoul
Children3
ResidenceRoanoke, Virginia
EducationRoanoke College (BBA)
Hawaii Pacific University (MBA)
WebsiteCampaign website

Political career

Rasoul first ran for elected office in 2008 when he challenged incumbent Republican Bob Goodlatte for Virginia's 6th Congressional seat. Rasoul earned 36% to Goodlatte's 61%.[3]

Rasoul was elected in a special election held on January 7, 2014. The special election was held to fill the vacancy created by the November 2013 resignation of Delegate Onzlee Ware.[4] After winning the Democratic primary by 44 votes, Rasoul received nearly 70% of the vote over his Republican opponent Octavia Johnson in the general election.[5] He was inducted into office on January 8, 2014.[6]

Rasoul is a member of the Legislative Black Caucus and the Rural Caucus in the House of Delegates.[7]

He is a candidate in the 2021 race for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia.[7]

Personal life

Rasoul was born in Warren, Ohio in 1981, the son of Palestinian immigrants.[8] He and his wife Layaly have three children.[9]

Electoral history
House of Delegates 11th District Special Election, 2014 [10]
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%
Democratic hold
House of Delegates 11th District Election, 2015[10]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sam Rasoul (inc.) 11,216 96.2%
Write-in 447 3.8%
Total votes 11,663 100.00%
Democratic hold
House of Delegates 11th District Election, 2017 [11]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sam Rasoul (inc.) 15,667 96.93%
write-ins 496 3.07%
Total votes 16,163 100%
Democratic hold
House of Delegates 11th District Election, 2019 [12]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sam Rasoul (inc.) 10,269 94.38%
write-ins 611 5.62%
Total votes 10,880 100%
Democratic hold

References
  1. "Richmond Sunlight » Delegate Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke)". www.richmondsunlight.com. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  2. WDBJ, Sarah Irby |. "Delegate Sam Rasoul announces run for lieutenant governor". www.nbc12.com. Retrieved 2020-12-12.
  3. "House clerks's office" (PDF).
  4. Yoon, Erica (January 8, 2014). "Sam Rasoul easily takes Roanoke House of Delegates seat". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  5. Ballhous, Rebecca (January 8, 2014). "Special Election in Virginia: Another Cliffhanger". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  6. Sluss, Michael (January 8, 2014). "Rasoul goes to work in Richmond". The Roanoke Times. Retrieved January 8, 2014.
  7. Vozzella, Laura. "Virginia's crowded race for lieutenant governor draws its 10th candidate". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2020-10-21.
  8. "ColorsVA". colorsva.pub. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  9. "The Voter's Self Defense System". Project Vote Smart. Retrieved November 30, 2015.
  10. "Candidate Profile - Sam Rasoul". Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  11. "2017 November General". Retrieved Jul 31, 2019.
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