Leila Hazou is a Palestinian-American community figure, entrepreneur, and political candidate running for the United States Senate from Pennsylvania as a representative of the Green Party. Her story reflects a blend of professional experience, grassroots activism, and commitment to greater political representation for underheard voices.
Background and Personal Life
Hazou grew up in New York and later moved to Pike County, Pennsylvania, seeking a quieter life outside the fast pace of the city. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, and an MBA from Loyola College (now Loyola University Maryland), earned in 2005. Before entering small business and politics, she worked as a project manager at a large investment firm in New York City.
In 2016, Hazou and her husband chose to leave the corporate world and settle in rural Pennsylvania. In January 2023 she opened a soap and candle shop in Milford, turning her focus from finance to local entrepreneurship.
Political Vision and Senate Campaign
Leila Hazou’s entry into politics is not typical. Rather than running with expectations of winning outright, she views her campaign as part of a broader effort to legitimize third-party voting and break the strong hold of the two major parties (Democrats and Republicans) in U.S. politics.
As a Palestinian-American woman, Hazou has also emphasized the need for American politics to address issues affecting Arab and Muslim communities, global human rights, and foreign policy in a more nuanced and ethical way. She has said she is running not just to win, but to challenge entrenched political structures and encourage voters to consider alternatives.
Although she acknowledges the limited resources of her campaign and a low probability of an electoral victory, Hazou’s message focuses on political engagement, accountability, and breaking the bipartisan monopoly in American elections. Her campaign contains elements of activist politics grounded in social justice and community empowerment.
Broader Relevance
Leila Hazou’s candidacy gains attention not just because she represents a third party, but because it highlights the increasingly diverse political voices emerging in U.S. elections. Her campaign resonates with many young voters, activists, and members of the Arab and Palestinian diaspora who feel underrepresented in mainstream politics. While still early in her political journey, Hazou embodies a new generation of candidates advocating systemic change and broader civic participation.