Vermont nominates first US transgender candidate for governor: Grandmother Christine Hallquist, 62, makes history with her Democrat primary win after transitioning three years ago
Christine Hallquist became the first transgender candidate to be nominated for governor
The former Vermont utility executive will face state Governor Phill Scott, who survived a bitter backlash from his base over gun restrictions he supported
Hallquist would become the nation’s first transgender governor if elected in November
She said her campaign would focus on improving the state’s economy, yet she acknowledged the symbolism of being an openly transgender candidate
Scott, first elected in 2016, faced a rebellion from his base due to his support for a series of gun restrictions
While mild by national standards, the restrictions angered many members of Vermont’s avid hunting community
DAILYMAIL.COM
15 August 2018
A former Vermont utility executive on Tuesday became the first transgender candidate to be nominated for governor, and she’ll face the Republican incumbent, who survived a bitter backlash from his base over gun restrictions he supported.
GOP Gov. Phil Scott defeated a challenge from Springfield businessman Keith Stern in his quest to win a second term. He will face Christine Hallquist, 62, who won the Democratic primary to run for the state’s highest office in November.
She would become the nation’s first transgender governor if elected.
Scott said he expected the race to be closer than it was. ‘I know there are some who are still upset with me who may not welcome tonight’s result but there’s so much more that unites us than sets us apart.
‘And no one agrees with their friends all the time, but as our success shows we can make a lot of good progress when we have clear priorities and we pull in the same direction,’ Scott said.
Hallquist said her campaign would focus on improving the state’s economy, yet she acknowledged the symbolism of being an openly transgender candidate.
‘The whole world is looking at this as a historic moment for a transgender candidate, but that’s not what Vermont looked at,’ Hallquist said.
‘Vermonters looked at, ‘What’s Christine and her team going to do for Vermont?’
‘Look to Vermont,’ she said. ‘We continue to demonstrate leadership in civil rights and how to honor and work with each other. We can be a beacon for the rest of the world.’
Hallquist, a married grandmother who transitioned to a woman in December 2015, supports a ‘$15 minimum wage, overdose prevention sites, and paid family leave insurance,’ according to the Burlington Free Press.
Hallquist has also said she ‘would work toward universal primary care in Vermont and pursue a coalition of states to pursue a “Medicare for all” system.’
While she supports the ban of assault weapons, the Democratic nominee said it is not an issue of high importance on her list.
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