Christine Hallquist on Tuesday became the countrys first openly transgender candidate to win a major partys nomination in a governors race. Vermont Democrats made history by selecting Hallquist as their gubernatorial nominee in the partys primary. She defeated three other candidates.
In Novembers election, the former CEO faces off against Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who polls show has lost popularity among voters in recent months.
Hallquist joins a number of transgender men and women who have run for office recently, including the countrys first openly transgender state legislator, Virginias Danica Roem, who won her office last November.
Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington state, who heads the Democratic Governors Association, said in a statement, Were proud of Christines 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) Donald Trumps policies that hurt Vermont ― and will lead Vermont forward.
Hallquist told Politico in an interview that the choice to transition in 2015 was difficult, but that she ultimately decided telling the truth to her three children was more important. The former engineer initially feared losing her job when she came out as trans, but she said Vermont welcomed her with open arms.
And though Hallquist is proud of her decision to transition, she said she wants to run a race based on policy rather than her identity.
I consider myself a very strong leader with a good history who happens to be transgender, Hallquist told NBC5 in February. I mean, Id ask the voters who may be struggling with the fact I am transgender to try to look beyond that. Try to look at what Ive done.
Hallquist announced in February she planned to resign from her executive position at Vermont Electric Coop, which she held for 12 years, to run for governor. Shes also had several roles in her community, including a position on the Hyde Park School Board.
Poster Comment:
So who's delusions take precedence? I'm all in favor of them not being a factor except in sentencing.