A moderator asked Del. Sam Rasoul, a Democrat running for lieutenant governor, whether he could represent Virginians “regardless of faith or beliefs.”
By Daniel Marans
(HUFFPOST) An Islamophobic debate question directed at a Muslim candidate in Virginia prompted condemnation and outrage on Tuesday night.
In the only televised debate of the Democratic primary for lieutenant governor, WJLA TV anchor Dave Lucas asked state Del. Sam Rasoul (D), Virginia’s first Muslim state lawmaker, to affirm his commitment to serving Virginians of all faiths.
“The Washington Post reported your fundraising effort is ‘category leading,’ because of some out-of-state donors connected to Muslim advocacy groups. There’s nothing wrong with that, but that was the case,” Lucas said. “Talk a little bit about your fundraising efforts and can you assure Virginians you’ll represent all of them regardless of faith and beliefs?”
“I’m proud to have a campaign that’s 100% funded by individuals with the majority of contributors coming from Virginia,”
Rasoul replied, ignoring the idea that anyone would question his principles because of his faith.
He then pivoted to emphasizing his support for campaign finance reform and opposition to corruption, two central themes of his stump speech and his career in the state legislature.
