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Arab-American runs for Virginia 11^th District House of Delegates

By Nijma Darwish

Third time’s a charm for Salam, “Sam” Rasoul, becoming the Democratic nominee for the Virginia 11^th District House of Delegates.

The small business consultant from Roanoke, Virginia ran an unsuccessful bid for congress against Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA, 6th Dist) in 2008, and he challenged Roanoke Mayor David Bowers in a primary in 2012.

However, luck doesn’t seem to have anything to do with Sam’s recent accomplishments and everything to do with perseverance, dedication and starred qualifications for the job according to recent endorsements from fellow colleagues and hundreds of supporters.

Kimble Reynolds Jr., who temporarily ran as an independent for the 11th, withdrew his candidacy stating in a press release that we obtained: “After learning more about Sam Rasoul and speaking with him about the sincerity of his commitment to education, I believe Roanoke has that strong candidate.”

Sam attended Roanoke County and Botetourt County Schools before graduating with a degree in Business Administration from Roanoke College in Salem, followed by an MBA in International Business. At 26 years old, Sam became the youngest congressional candidate to run in the history of the United States.

He and his wife, Layaly, reside in the “Star City” and have three children, “I grew up here, great place to raise a family; always been very safe and awarded me a great number of opportunities I have always had a strong affinity for my hometown.”

“Raised by Roanoke to Serve Roanoke,” the 32 year old hopes his bid for the HOD will be successful by focusing on issues including; Pre-K and Post-Secondary Education, Accessible and Affordable Healthcare and Small Business Development.

“One thing that’s important to me is to try to work together with people from both sides of the aisle and all walks of life to try and improve public policy for the common good,” says Sam.

As an Arab-American he strongly believes in civic duty and appreciates his humble beginnings, “I am living this American dream; I just think we should do everything that we can to make sure that dream is available to everyone that wants to strive for that,” stated Sam. “…We should be very thankful for all of the freedoms we do have here and be involved because fortunately when we are not involved. … If we are not going to be part of the solution then we are really part of the problem.”

If he wins, Sam plans to contribute half of his salary as delegate back to local charities in the Roanoke region. The field is set for Roanoke’s special election on Tuesday January 7^th; Sam will face Republican Sheriff Octavia Johnson.

(Nijma Darwish is an Ohio based freelance writer, photographer and food enthusiast. You can reach her at nijmadarwish.com or follow her on Twitter @BrnAndBread.)

Sam Rasoul wins Democratic nomination for House of Delegates seat
The field is set for Roanoke’s January special election
11th House of Delegates Seat Up For Grabs
Special Election candidates for House of Delegates seat campaigning hard

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rayhanania

Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster at The Arab Daily News

RAY HANANIA — Op-Ed writer, author, radio host, podcaster

Ray Hanania is an award winning political and humor columnist who analyzes American and Middle East politics, and life in general. He is an author of several books.

Hanania covered Chicago Politics and Chicago City Hall from 1976 through 1992 at the Daily Southtown and the Chicago Sun-Times. He began writing in 1975 publishing The Middle Eastern Voice newspaper in Chicago (1975-1977). He later published “The National Arab American Times” newspaper (2004-2007).

Hanania writes weekly columns on Middle East and American Arab issues as Special US Correspondent for the Arab News ArabNews.com, at TheArabDailyNews.com, and at SuburbanChicagoland.com. He has published weekly columns in the Jerusalem Post newspaper, YNetNews.com, Newsday, the Orlando Sentinel, Houston Chronical, and Arlington Heights Daily Herald.

Hanania is the recipient of four (4) Chicago Headline Club “Peter Lisagor Awards” for Column writing. In November 2006, he was named “Best Ethnic American Columnist” by the New American Media. In 2009, Hanania received the prestigious Sigma Delta Chi Award for Writing from the Society of Professional Journalists. He is the recipient of the MT Mehdi Courage in Journalism Award. He was honored for his writing skills with two (2) Chicago Stick-o-Type awards from the Chicago Newspaper Guild. In 1990, Hanania was nominated by the Chicago Sun-Times editors for a Pulitzer Prize for his four-part series on the Palestinian Intifada.

His writings have also been honored by two national Awards from ADC for his writing, and from the National Arab American Journalists Association.

Hanania is the US Special Correspondent for the Arab News Newspaper, covering Middle East and Arab American issues. He writes for the Southwest News newspaper group writing on mainstream American issues.

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