Christine Hallquist is one step closer to becoming the first openly trans governor in the US.

Hallquist has won the Democratic gubernatorial nomination in the US state of Vermont, which is a landmark as she becomes the first trans gubernatorial candidate from a major political party in American history.

She still faces an uphill battle as she enters the general election against Republican incumbent Phil Scott who has held office since 2016.

Bernie Sanders shared a message on Twitter congratulating Hallquist:

Congratulations to @christineforvt for her Democratic primary win for Governor of Vermont tonight. Let’s continue making history and win this November!

Congratulations to @christineforvt for her Democratic primary win for Governor of Vermont tonight. Let's continue making history and win this November!

— Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders) August 15, 2018

“Christine spent 12 years as CEO of Vermont Electric Coop. In her time at the coop, she transformed the utility into a national leader on climate change with a 96% carbon-free power grid,” according to her Victory Fund, an organisation that supports LGBT+ candidates in US government.

“When she publicly transitioned in 2015 she made history as the first CEO in the country to transition on the job. She brings her history of leadership and trailblazing to her campaign for governor.

“Championing the needs of marginalized Vermonters, she has placed rural economic development at the heart of her vision for Vermont. She has prioritized getting fibre optic cable to all Vermont homes and business so that all can partake in the 21st-century economy.

https://twitter.com/christineforvt/status/1029363432632602624

“Christine understands the importance of ensuring all children have access to a quality public school system. She has opposed the current round of budget and staffing cuts, aimed at closing many Vermont schools. As governor, she will work to ensure greater economic security and opportunity for all Vermonters,” it says.

Hallquist beat James Ehlers, a Navy veteran and environmentalist and Brenda Siegal, who is the executive director of a dance festival, to win the Democratic nomination.

In what has been a difficult number of years for the trans community in the US, is this a start of a blue wave?

The date for the General Election has been set for November 6, 2018.