Saddam Azlan Salim

Saddam Salim
Salim in 2023
Member of the Virginia Senate
from the 37th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 10, 2024
Preceded byChap Petersen
Personal details
Born (1990-01-01) January 1, 1990
Noakhali, Bangladesh
PartyDemocratic
Education
WebsiteCampaign website

Saddam Azlan Salim (born January 1, 1990) is an American politician representing Virginia's 37th Senate district, which includes the cities of Fairfax and Falls Church, as well as portions of Fairfax County. A member of the Democratic Party, he immigrated to the United States from Bangladesh as a child in 2000, after his family was displaced by flooding. He was elected to the Virginia Senate in 2023, after successfully primarying incumbent Democrat Chap Petersen.

Early life and education

Saddam was born in Noakhali, Bangladesh on January 1, 1990.[1] His family immigrated to the United States in 2000 after they were displaced by flooding in 1998.[2] He graduated from Falls Church High School.[3] He earned an associate's degree from Northern Virginia Community College in 2010, graduated with a bachelor's degree in public administration from George Mason University in 2012, and a master's degree in public administration from George Mason University in 2015.[3] Prior to his political career, he worked as a financial consultant.[1]

During the 2020 United States presidential election, he co-founded the campaign group South Asians for Biden.[4][5]

Virginia State Senate

2023

Salim announced his candidacy in 2023 against incumbent Democrat Chap Petersen, who represented the 34th District which had been redistricted to the 37th, since 2011.[3] On June 21, Salim pulled an upset, defeating Petersen with 54.1% of the vote.[6][3]

On November 7, Salim defeated Republican Ken Reid with 68.7% of the vote.[3]

Tenure

In 2024, he introduced legislation to legalize accessory dwelling units;[7] it passed into law in April 2026.[8] In 2026, he introduced legislation to ban the sale of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.[9] In 2026, Salim sponsored a bill that would have prevented Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from wearing masks to conceal their identities. It passed into law but was blocked by district judge Robert E. Payne.[10]

Personal life

Salim is Muslim.[1]

Electoral history

Democratic Primary for the 37th Senate District, 2023
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Saddam Salim 10,477 54.1
Democratic Chap Petersen 8,880 45.9
Election to the Virginia State Senate 37th District, 2023
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Saddam Salim 40,947 68.7
Republican Ken Reid 18,427 30.9

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Senate of Virginia". apps.senate.virginia.gov. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  2. ↑ Fox Shannon, Caley (2023-10-23). "Republican Reid taking on Democrat Salim in heavily blue 37th Senate District". InsideNoVa. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Saddam Salim". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  4. ↑ O'Connell, Michael (2023-05-22). "Saddam Azlan Salim Answers Patch's Candidate Questionnaire For June 20 Primary". Falls Church, VA Patch. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  5. ↑ Armus, Teo; Olivo, Antonio; Vozzella, Laura (2023-06-26). "Northern Virginia shifts to the left with Democratic primary victories". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 2026-08-23.
  6. ↑ Woolsey, Angela (2023-06-21). "Fairfax County Democrats oust two established senators, as incumbents prevail in local races". FFXnow. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  7. ↑ Pope, Michael (2024-02-09). "A bill allowing ADUs has cleared the Virginia Senate". WVTF. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  8. ↑ Woods, Charlotte Rene (2026-04-16). "A new law will make it easier to build a tiny house in your back yard, starting next year". Virginia Mercury. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  9. ↑ Thompson, Cameron (2026-03-09). "Virginia lawmakers pass assault firearm ban; what it could mean for gun owners". CBS 6 News Richmond WTVR. Retrieved 2026-08-26.
  10. ↑ Dodson, Joe (2026-06-30). "Judge blocks Virginia ICE mask ban on eve of implementation". Courthouse News Service. Retrieved 2026-08-20.
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