Christine Hallquist

Christine Hallquist
Born	(1956-04-11) April 11, 1956 Baldwinsville, New York, U.S.
Occupation(s)	Political figure, former CEO of Vermont Electric Cooperative
Years active	1998–2018 (Vermont Electric Cooperative), 2021–present (Vermont Community Broadband Board)
Known for	First openly transgender major party gubernatorial nominee in the United States

Christine Hallquist (born April 11, 1956) is an American political figure and former chief executive officer of the Vermont Electric Cooperative (VEC). She became the first openly transgender individual to secure a major party’s gubernatorial nomination in the United States, winning the 2018 Democratic primary with more than 40% of votes cast. Hallquist’s career at VEC spanned from 1998 until 2018, including a 13-year period as CEO before stepping down to pursue the governorship.

Her tenure at VEC and her public gender transition while serving as CEO attracted nationwide media coverage, underscoring her role as a trailblazing leader. This personal journey was captured in the documentary Denial, directed by her son.

Early life and education

Raised in Baldwinsville, New York as one of seven siblings, Hallquist attended Catholic elementary school. Following a challenging experience during eighth grade, her parents chose to withdraw her from that institution. She completed her secondary education in the public school system and later studied at Mohawk Valley Community College in Utica, New York. At age 20, she relocated to Vermont, began working as an engineer at IBM, and enrolled in a University of Massachusetts training program aimed at electrical engineering certification.

Career

After her time at IBM, Hallquist moved to Digital Equipment Corporation, where she engaged in a University of Massachusetts training initiative and played a role in designing cost-efficient power supplies utilizing lean manufacturing techniques. Opting for an early buyout from Digital, she returned to Vermont to manage a small electronics firm based in Barre. Subsequently, she established a consulting company with clients such as Xerox, Miller Beer, and Honda. In 2000, she joined Vermont Electric Cooperative as engineering and operations manager amid its recovery following bankruptcy.

In July 2021, Governor Phil Scott appointed Hallquist as executive director of the newly formed Vermont Community Broadband Board (VCBB), responsible for advancing broadband infrastructure development across the state.

Gubernatorial campaign

Hallquist announced her candidacy for governor on April 8, 2018, in Morrisville, Vermont, highlighting Vermont’s preparedness to elect its first transgender governor. Her campaign platform emphasized expanding broadband access statewide, implementing universal Medicare, and pursuing robust climate change initiatives.

Throughout the campaign, Hallquist encountered nationwide threats and personal harassment that led to enhanced security precautions, including restricting public knowledge of her campaign office’s location. In September 2018, Politico categorized the contest as "Lean Republican." On November 6, she was defeated by incumbent Republican Governor Phil Scott.

Personal life

Hallquist lives in Hyde Park, Vermont with her wife, Pat. Together they have three grown children and two grandchildren. Early in their marriage, she disclosed her transgender identity to Pat and later shared this with their children during the 2000s. Hallquist publicly transitioned in 2015. While her mother embraced her transition, some friendships and familial relationships experienced strain. She has remarked that the transition process was less difficult than anticipated and that her family bonds remain strong.

In April 2020, Hallquist contracted COVID-19 and reported experiencing a severe case of the illness.

External links

• Official campaign website
• Website for the film Denial