FAIRFAX — Ghazala Hashmi ‘s nearly 30 years as an English professor trained her to look closely at words. On the campaign trail for lieutenant governor, the Democrat zeroes in on the Constitution’s very first one: “we.”

“We the people of Virginia are stronger together. We the people of Virginia are more resilient together, and we the people of Virginia are going to do this in November…” Hashmi shouted to a group of about 100 supporters who gathered outside the Fairfax County government center Sept. 19, the first day of early voting.

When the crowd finished cheering, Hashmi returned to the measured, steady tone that’s marked her six years in the state Senate as she shook hands and chatted with voters. It was the same calm clarity that marked her conversations throughout the day — whethe

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