Around New England

Transgender Candidate Wins Democratic Nomination for Governor in Vermont

August 15, 2018

Christine Hallquist took 40 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary to become the nation’s first transgender candidate for governor to win a major party nomination.

Hallquist defeated three other candidates, including 14-year-old 

Hallquist, a biological male who identifies as a woman, is the former chief executive officer of Vermont Electric Coop. Hallquist is a longshot to defeat incumbent Governor Phil Scott, a Republican who survived a primary challenge.

Scott has seen a dip in his popularity since signing gun control measures after campaigning in 2016 as a gun-rights advocate. But he won the primary 65-32 over pro-gun challenger Keith Stern.

In the Democratic primary, Hallquist defeated three other candidates, including 14-year-old Ethan Sonneborn, who took 7 percent of the vote, according to Seven Days.