Transgender candidate's nomination for Vermont governor is 'historic milestone,' professor says


Wed, 08/15/2018

author

George Diepenbrock

LAWRENCE — Christine Hallquist's victory in the Vermont Democratic gubernatorial primary on Tuesday is a historic victory for the transgender movement, according to a University of Kansas political scientist who researches LGBT candidates.

Hallquist, a transgender woman and former energy company executive, will now face Republican Gov. Phil Scott in the general election.

Don Haider-Markel, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science, is available to discuss Hallquist's victory and recent success of several transgender candidates across the country. He has studied the prospects of transgender candidates for several years, including serving as lead author of a 2017 journal article that examined public opinion surrounding transgender candidates.

"This is a historic milestone," Haider-Markel said. "Even though the odds are against her in November, this is an amazing achievement for a movement that is really only 25 years old."

Wed, 08/15/2018

author

George Diepenbrock

Media Contacts

George Diepenbrock

KU News Service

785-864-8853