Vermont’s Democratic candidate for Governor | Photo: Facebook/Christine Hallquist
Democratic nominee for the Vermont gubernatorial race Christine Hallquist is receiving a significant amount of death threats.
Local news outlet The Burlington Free Press first reported on the matter.
‘Early on when our team assembled I said ‘the more successful we are, the more vitriol and threats we are going to receive,’ Hallquist said. ‘It’s kind of a natural outcome of our divided country.’
Hallquist is the first openly transgender person to win a major party nominaton for governor.
She said the threats and harassment began before the primary, when people first began to pay attention to her campaign. Since her win, however, the negativity has increased to a steady stream. Most of them come via social media or phone.
She and her team have now begun to take more safety precautions. Going forward, Hallquist is not giving advanced notice of her appearances nor giving out the location of her headquarters.
‘We take any threat against a Vermonter seriously and are doing what we can to work with her campaign to make sure the threats are taken seriously and are investigated,’ said police spokesman Adam Silverman.
People speaking out
Hallquist’s Republican opponent, Phil Scott, condemned the threats.
‘We must – as a society – do better to combat anger and violence,’ he said.
‘I’m hopeful Vermonters will join me in ensuring everyone – regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, religion or other characteristics – are treated with dignity, respect and acceptance.’
Elliot Imse, a spokesman for The Victory Fund, a political action committee for LGBTI candidates, also came to Hallquist’s defense.
‘While the people of Vermont know Christine as the intelligent executive with a clear vision for their state, her courage in running as an openly trans woman cannot be understated.
‘It takes guts to be a trailblazer because with it comes opening yourself to attacks from the most hateful among us – it is what the leaders of social change nearly always encounter.’
GSN reached out to HRC for further comment.
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