Vermont Primary 2018: Christine Hallquist Makes History

Christine Hallquist has won the Democratic primary for governor in Vermont, becoming the country's first transgender candidate to be nominated to the position by a major party, according to The Associated Press. In November, Hallquist will face incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott.

Hallquist, the former chief executive of Vermont Electric Cooperative is part of a "rainbow wave" that's swept the midterm elections, as a record number of gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender candidates run for office this year.

Hallquist has said she doesn't want Vermont residents to elect her governor because of her transgender status. Rather, she has said, she wants her candidacy to rise or fall on her plans to help state residents get higher-paying jobs, provide health care for their families and better educate their children.

She said she plans to appeal to voters with a progressive message that includes a livable wage, Medicare for all, free public college education and high-speed broadband access even to those who live on remote back roads.

Scott remains more popular with Democrats than members of his own party in the solidly liberal state.

According to a quarterly Morning Consult poll from July, Scott fell from the no. 3 most popular governor in America to three spots from the bottom 10 in the second quarter of 2018. The poll showed that Scott lost favorability among Republicans after signing gun control bills but he remains popular among Democrats.

Reporting from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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