Transgender candidate Christine Hallquist ‘blames Trump’ for death threats and abuse

Christine Hallquist, who could become America’s first transgender state Governor, has blamed the Trump administration for an influx of abuse and death threats.

Democrats voted to pick Hallquist as their candidate for Governor of Vermont ahead of the November election.

Her campaign has largely focused on local issues, but the candidate says she has experienced an influx of abusive messages and death threats after becoming the Democratic candidate.

Vermont Democratic gubernatorial nominee Christine Hallquist (Hillary Swift/Getty)

Speaking to The Hill, she said: “I told the campaign team right in the beginning that if we’re successful and the more successful we get, the more hatred, the more vitriol and more death threats would occur.

“I think it’s a natural outcome of where our country is today. We are a divided country… I land that squarely at the administration in Washington.

“I also would address that the national Republican party is focused on division rather than unit, and using division and feat to get elected.

“We’re going the opposite direction, and focusing on aspiration and hope. We’re growing jobs and raising wages.”

Hallquist says she isn’t intimidated by the threats.

She added: “I should tell you, it doesn’t scare me at all. I think about the thousands of people who have died for freedom before us.

“We lay our lives on the line for a healthy democracy. I hope that several years from now we can look back and say that 2018 was the year we made history in America.”