MEET SAM
My sisters, brother, and I grew up in Virginia where my family had settled in the Roanoke Valley after leaving war-torn Palestine in the late 1960s to find a better life. I grew up in a corner store in the Hurt Park and Blue Stone neighborhoods, where we learned the value of community and taking life one challenge at a time.
As a religious and ethnic minority in Southwest Virginia, I learned the value of building bridges wherever I could find them. Our neighborhood friends might need some groceries until payday, and our family business stepped up to help them out however we could because we believed in the value of serving our community.
With the loving support of my life partner, Layaly, I was drawn to a life of public service. I was eager to find ways to elevate the voices of everyday Virginians while forging lasting coalitions. In 2008 I ran for Congress as the youngest candidate in America. An idealist with much to learn, my core philosophy stayed simple: Treat people as I would want to be treated. Layaly and I have been blessed with three awesome kids: Jennah, Amirah, and Issa. The innocence and wisdom of my children keep me grounded and hopeful. They are a big part of the reason I'm working to help build a better, brighter future for all Virginians.
Throughout my life, I have been guided by the values of respect, fairness, and liberty that I was raised with. Roanoke College pushed me to understand the world on a deeper level, and a master’s degree in Hawaii introduced me to cultures I had known nothing about.
I worked in health care to build more compassionate ways to care for our seniors and improve maternal and child health in East Africa. Ushering in new programs with my teams, we faced endless problems but focused on helping and empowering people, one life at a time.
In 2014, the beautiful people of Roanoke entrusted me with the opportunity to represent our community in the Virginia House of Delegates. I immediately got to work rejecting special interest PAC donations, starting the Impact Center initiative which helps empower new age leaders, and modeling a new approach to politics in our Democratic Promise initiative which builds goodwill by investing in our neighbors.
Some of our work is outlined below, but no matter what we’ve accomplished, I am left with the same feeling: It’s not enough. We have more work to do, and that's what I intend to keep doing in 2023 and beyond.
OUR WORK
January 2015
Submitted constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United limiting the crippling influence of money in politics.
September 2015
Launched New Chapter Housing Initiative to assist returning citizens integrating into the community.
December 2016
Lauched The Impact Center helping over 1,000 activists and candidates across Virginia win through the science of trust and coalition building.
Summer 2017
Piloted Democratic Promise which aims to build trust in our institutions by building goodwill with voters through having volunteers connect those in need with government services.
September 2018
Introduced “You Write the Bill”: Participatory lawmaking workshop for Virginians.
March 2019
To learn more about many of the challenges our teachers and school staff face, Sam began substitute teaching to bring first hand experience to Richmond.
December 2019
Introduced the first Green New Deal Act in Virginia focusing on the intersection of environmental, economic, and social justice.
March 2020
Bill passes integrating socio-emotionallearning into K-12 education, stressing the importance of a strong emotional foundation for children.
June 2020
Helped organize the distribution of 20,000 masks and sanitizers in coordination with the Virginia Department of Emergency Management, the Virginia Health Department, the Medical Reserve Corp, and the City of Roanoke
January 2021
Drawing on his health care experience, Del. Rasoul introduced three bills that will help improve access to healthcare for millions of Virginians.
March 2021
After partnering with the VA Teen Democrats and VA Teen Republicans, Del. Rasoul passed legislation giving students one excused absence for civic engagement.
April 2022
Passed by Del. Rasoul during the 2022 General Assembly Session, Virginia celebrates every April as Arab American Heritage Month.
MArch 2023
Meals on Wheels: 16 years of volunteering! Rasoul hand delivered meals to Roanoke’s most vulnerable senior citizens for the Local Office on Aging’s Meals on Wheels.
February 2024
Rasoul passed legislation requiring the cutting of electronic communication costs for inmates. Reducing recidivism and connecting loved ones during difficult times.
February 2025
Led the effort to remove the staff support cap in Virginia schools ensuring our schools have the staf needed to serve our students.
February 2015
Passed renewable energy tax credit for businesses.
February 2016
Passed ‘Volunteer Cares’ legislation supporting medical professionals who provide charitable healthcare services to receive continuing education credits.
March 2017
Pledged not to accept donations from special interest PACs and lobbyists to help shift the culture in Richmond. That year, 13 new legislators were elected on a similar pledge
December 2017
Introduced repeal of the “rate freeze” which gouged electric rate-payers by utilities
December 2018
Launched Green New Deal Coalition pushing for intersectional environmental, social, and economic justice
October 2019
Empowered 20+ state level campaigns through our Impact Center Initiative.
March 2020
"You Write The Bill" constituent-driven idea to protect victims of domestic violence by improving fair housing becomes law.
April 2020
"Safe Drinking Water Act" signed by the Governor finally establishing maximum contaminant levels for the cancer-causing & deadly "forever" chemicals in drinking water.
July 2020
Working with the Roanoke Constituents, Del. Rasoul introduced a law to require the release of unedited video and audio footage after any officer-involved shooting.
February 2021
Campaign staff voted to form a union and will be represented by the IBEW Local 666, a first in the history of Virginia lieutenant governor campaigns.
January 2022
Introduced and passed legislation to address substance use disorder in SWVA by initiating plans for transformation of the Catawba Hospital into a state-of-the-art treatment facility.
February 2023
Passed legislation ensuring that Virginia’s drinking water supply is safe for all by establishing regular testing for cancer-causing PFAS chemicals in public water systems.
December 2023
Del. Rasoul appointed Chairman of the House Education Committee under Speaker Don Scott, first Black Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates.
June 2024
Sam’s visit to Roanoke City’s first-of-its-kind gun violence prevention program “The Community Builders,” which was passed by Rasoul in the 2024 session. This program targets at-risk rising 8th graders to prepare them for a brighter future.
BEHIND THE BUMPER STICKER
My children inspire my service. When they look back, I want them to see themselves in our work.
This bumper sticker was designed by my daughter Jennah, and represents our family's three rules: (1) Always tell the truth, (2) Always be kind, and (3) Never give up! Check out her video and request a bumper sticker!