Christine Hallquist Historic Win for Vermont’s Democratic Gubernatorial Race

On Tuesday, Christine Hallquist, a former energy company executive from Vermont became the countries first openly transgender candidate to win a major party’s nomination in a governor’s race.

“Tonight we made history, and I’m so honored to be … part of this historical moment,” Hallquist said to her fans at the election-night party in Burlington. “I’m so proud to be the face of the Democrats tonight.”

Hallquist will face Republican opponent Phil Scott in November.

She is one of the many recent transgenders in politics that has ran for office recently, including the country’s first openly transgender state legislator, Virginia’s Danica Roem.

This lead to much praise from others, including Former Houston, Texas, Mayor Annise Parker, now president and CEO of the LGBTQ Victory Fund, a political action committee that endorsed Hallquist, called her primary victory a “defining moment in the movement for trans equality.”

Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington state, who is the leader of the the Democratic Governors Association, said in a statement, “We’re proud of Christine’s historic candidacy, and we welcome her to the most diverse crop of gubernatorial nominees in American history.”

He said Hallquist as governor would “stand up to President Trump’s policies that hurt Vermont ― and will lead Vermont forward.”

She had been a very progressive candidate so far, proposing things such as $15 minimum wage, Medicare for all and free higher education. She is also campaigning on an expansion of renewable electricity and high-speed broadband access across rural parts of the state.