Ghazala Hashmi has become the first Muslim nominee for statewide office in Virginia’s history, winning the Democratic primary election for lieutenant governor on Tuesday night.

Hashmi won the closely watched primary by less than a percentage point, setting the stage for a historic election in the commonwealth. Her top opponent, Levar Stoney, conceded on Wednesday.

Currently a state senator, Hashmi will join U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger at the top of the Democratic ticket ahead of November’s general elections.

“We are united in our focus on the issues that matter to our fellow Virginians,” Spanberger, Hashmi and Democratic attorney general nominee Jay Jones said in a statement.

Hashmi’s race with Stoney was the most closely watched primary in Virginia ahead of Tuesday’s vote. Spanberger ran unopposed for the governor’s nomination, while the Republican nominations for governor and lieutenant governor were also uncontested.

Both elections will lead to firsts in the state’s 250-year history. The state will elect its first female governor whether Spanberger or her Republican opponent, current Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, wins in November. Earle-Sears is already the first female lieutenant governor and first Black person to hold statewide office in Virginia.

Meanwhile, in the lieutenant governor’s race, Hashmi could be the first Muslim and first Indian-American to hold statewide office. But if she loses, Republican nominee John Reid will be the first openly gay man elected statewide in Virginia.

Under Virginia law, the current governor, Republican Glenn Youngkin, cannot be reelected.

With News Wire Services