While attending Hokkaido University, Hashem operated an elementary English school and founded NineBall Billiards Japan, a billiards supply network in Sapporo. He then worked for state representativeKyle Yamashita as a legislative aide.[5]
2012 Hashem was unopposed for the August 11, 2012 Democratic Primary, winning with 5,010 votes,[6] and won the November 6, 2012 General election with 7,311 votes (56.3%) against Republican nominee Jeremy Low.[7]
2010 When Democratic Representative Lyla Berg ran for Lieutenant Governor of Hawaii and left the District 18 seat open, Hashem won the three-way September 18, 2010 Democratic Primary with 2,525 votes (37.9%),[8] and won the November 2, 2010 General election with 4,876 votes (48.4%) against Republican nominee Chris Baron.[9]