Meet The Candidate: Qasim Rashid Runs For Virginia's 1st District

VIRGINIA — Qasim Rashid, a human rights lawyer, is running a campaign to represent the people of the 1st Congressional District of Virginia. He is facing incumbent Rep. Robert Wittman (R), who since 2007 has represented the district, which extends 160 miles from Interstate 66 in the Manassas area, through Stafford County, Fredericksburg, the Northern Neck, the Middle Peninsula to the Williamsburg and Jamestown area.

Rashid, who lives in Stafford County and received his law degree from the University of Richmond, believes that one of the most important issues facing the residents of the 1st Congressional District is broadband access.

The Democratic candidate also believes the right way to address the coronavirus pandemic is through a robust governmental response. He supports increased access to healthcare and protection for frontline workers and small businesses alike. His campaign’s motto is "Compassion Through Action."

Learn more about Qasim Rashid and why he is running to represent the 1st Congressional District of Virginia in 2020:

Candidate

Qasim Rashid

Town/City of Residence

Stafford

Office sought

U.S. House of Representatives, 1st District

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Family

Wife Ayesha and three children

Campaign Website

https://rashidforva.com/meet-qasim/

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

One of the most important issues facing our district is broadband access. That's why I've proposed the Last Mile Broadband Plan. My plan treats broadband as a public utility and prioritizes that last mile of coverage. Internet connectivity matters to your daily life as much as electricity and water. Reliable internet is essential, especially during this pandemic.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

Rob Wittman and I have passed the same number of bills in Congress on broadband internet. Zero. The difference is he’s been in Congress for almost 13 years. Rob Wittman has put forth the same idea to deliver broadband every term — giving more and more money to big corporations, the same ones that help fund his campaigns. I’m fighting for that seat because my commitment is that once I’m in Congress, I will not sit idle for 13 years and simply talk about broadband internet access. I will also not be beholden to corporate interests, having taken zero dollars in corporate PAC money. In the name of helping all Virginians, I’ll show you what leadership looks like.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)?

My opponent sends a lot of emails but doesn’t get a whole lot done. He votes with Trump over 90% of the time and is rarely seen by folks here in the First District. He’s also been in office for over a decade and very little has changed for First District voters, especially when it comes to access to broadband. People here need someone who is willing to take action and my opponent is simply not delivering for the folks he represents.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform

I advocate for policies that make life easier for working families. Right now, that means a robust governmental response to COVID-19, that means increased access to healthcare, and protection for frontline workers and small businesses alike. My campaign’s motto is Compassion Through Action and we try to live by that slogan by serving the needs of our community. We have a service initiative as part of our campaign which has assisted folks throughout the First District during this difficult time. A defining feature of my campaign is our commitment to serving our community and stepping up when needed. I will bring the same ethos to Capitol Hill as a legislator.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

I spent most of my career as a human rights lawyer supporting survivors of domestic and sexual violence, uplifting the incarcerated through prison chaplaincy, serving my neighbors through blood drives and highway cleanups, and to advocate for children’s education. I am running to transform my advocacy into legislation that will help working families.

Why should voters trust you?

Voters should trust me because I am transparent and accessible. I have a record of serving my community and I will fight for working families. I also vote my conscience and call my own party out when I think they’re taking legislative action that hurts working families.

If you win this position, what accomplishment would make your term in office as a success?

I think that I would be successful if I help make broadband internet access part of the national conversation. We must close the digital divide and enact real change in this space. Broadband may appear to be solely an infrastructure issue, but it’s about economic and racial equity. Providing high-speed broadband to all Americans would boost our productivity and enable more innovation than ever before. Accomplishing that would be a great success.

What are your views on fiscal policy, government spending and the handling of taxpayer dollars in the office you are seeking?

Our first priority must be the rights of workers. Economic success and equity must be defined not just by the stock market and outdated metrics, but by the economic stability of all Americans through factors such as environmental security, educational opportunity, entrepreneurship, health equity, and closing the income gap. We can achieve these goals and more with a universal basic income, financed through taxes on corporations that will benefit the most from this new economy.

Do you support Black Lives Matter and what are your thoughts on the demonstrations held since the death of George Floyd and the shooting of Jacob Blake?

I support Black Lives Matter, and I support peaceful protests. Violence is unacceptable and I condemn it wholeheartedly, but the vast majority of demonstrations have been peaceful and profoundly inspiring. I participated in Black Lives Matter protests in Virginia’s First District this past summer, and the core message is one of equality and justice. I know that advocacy alone will not bring about change to systemic issues; citizens need to vote as well. But these organizations and protests bring up conversations that are necessary and long overdue.

What are your thoughts on the campaign to "defund" the police?

I believe that calling for policing reform does not mean getting rid of our law enforcement departments. Instead, the solution is to increase public safety and community health while better supporting law enforcement officers.

That means recognizing that it is unfair both to law enforcement and to our communities to task police departments with every responsibility under the sun from violent crime to saving a cat stuck in a tree.

The solution is to shift tasks related to mental illness, homelessness, public education, and drug addiction to more appropriate agencies while refocusing police officers on preventing violent crime. A solution that is popular among officers and voters alike.

What are your thoughts on the state and national response to the coronavirus pandemic? Do you favor such measures as limiting operation of non-essential businesses or restricting indoor/outdoor dining? And do you favor a nationwide mask mandate?

On a state level, I applaud the leadership of Governor Northam. I favor measures that our public health experts are advocating for and I defer to their leadership on that. Studies show that a nationwide mask mandate would save lives and I favor that measure.

The best advice ever shared with me was:

Listen to scientists and follow the data.

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I'm a big fan of dad jokes. In fact, I know when a dad joke becomes a dad joke: when it becomes apparent!