Christine Hallquist May Become America's First Openly Transgender Governor

Vermont Democrats could make history by choosing Christine Hallquist, an openly transgender woman, as the partys candidate for Vermont governor.

The former Vermont Electric Coop CEO announced her plans to run in February, saying she would be resigning from the executive position shed held for 12 years. Hallquist, who transitioned in 2015 , planned on running a campaign based in policy and not focusing on 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 joins a number of transgender men and women who have run for higher office in recent years, including the countrys first openly trans state legislator, Danica Roem .

This is the year we will make history! #vtpoli https://t.co/4UDW4a4WAv

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This is the year we will make history! #vtpoli https://t.co/4UDW4a4WAv
Christine Hallquist (@christineforvt) July 23, 2018

The 61-year-old Hallquist told Politico that she is unapologetic about who she is, and praised citizens of Vermont for welcoming her with open arms during her transition. Hallquist, a parent of three, said she struggled with her identity for her entire life but didnt want to keep hiding from her family.

I was sure I was going to lose my job and I was going to lose everything I worked for, but the truth was more important for my children, because they didnt really know, Hallquist told Politico .

Hallquist spent 18 years at VEC, where one employee hailed her as a remarkable boss . In addition to her work there, Hallquist took positions on a variety of community boards and within the community, such as serving as a meeting moderator for Hyde Park Town.

She described herself during an interview with Vermont Public Radio last month as a person who brings people together to do big things.

Hallquists campaign aligns with much of the national partys ideals on renewable energy, paid family leave and health care. Shes also drawn on her experience as a veteran CEO by pushing forward on local economic issues, such as raising the state minimum wage and installing broadband internet in rural areas to provide more opportunities.

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Hallquist is the apparent frontrunner against three other Democrats in the gubernatorial primary next week, though a poll by VPR-PBS indicates that all four candidates are relatively unknown to voters.

Even if she wins the primary on Tuesday, Hallquist will have a tough battle against the incumbent governor, Phil Scott. Scott has been a popular governor and, despite a large drop in approval , still pulls in a 47 percent favorability rating with voters.

This story has been updated with more recent poll numbers on Gov. Phil Scotts favorability.