Salam “Sam” Rasoul, has been a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from the 38th district since January 2014. He is one of the two Muslim members of the Virginia General Assembly. Sam grew up in the Roanoke Valley, where his parents settled after leaving war-torn Palestine in the late 1960s. He grew up in a family-run corner store, learning the values of community service and perseverance. Rasoul earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Roanoke College and a Master of Business Administration from Hawaii Pacific University. His early experiences and education shaped his commitment to public service, focusing on building bridges and serving his community.
Rasoul’s political career began in 2008 when he ran for Virginia’s 6th Congressional seat. Although he lost, he was elected to the Virginia House of Delegates in a special election in January 2014. As a delegate, he has been a tireless advocate for progressive change, introducing legislation on career and technical education, criminal justice reform, and renewable energy. He launched initiatives like the Impact Center to empower new leaders and Democratic Promise to build trust in government services. Despite losing the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Virginia in 2021 to Hala Ayala, Rasoul’s dedication to his community and his work in the General Assembly reflect his unwavering commitment to justice, equity, and empowerment.
