A former energy executive in Vermont has taken a major step towards becoming the first transgender governor of a US state.
Christine Hallquist Photo: Twitter / @christineforvt
Christine Hallquist defeated three other candidates to win the Democratic Party nomination on Tuesday.
She will now face incumbent Republican governor Phil Scott in the general election in November.
Her nomination came on a night of firsts for primary elections.
A former Somali refugee won her race in Minnesota, as did a celebrated teacher in Connecticut who could now become the state's first black Democrat in Congress.
Democrats are hoping for a "blue wave" in the midterm elections to regain control of at least one chamber of Congress.
Ms Hallquist's nomination comes in an election year already marked by record numbers of lesbian, gay and transgender candidates.
There are also a record number of female candidates in elections for governor and for the House of Representatives.
This year, 43 transgender candidates have run for political office at all levels in the US.
But Ms Hallquist is the first transgender person to win a major party nomination for state governor.
"I think Vermont is a beacon of hope for the rest of the country," she told Reuters news agency after the result was announced.
"This is what I call expanding our moral compass and that is what I think it represents."
"I love Vermont because we look beyond these surface issues. I just happen to be a leader who is transgender. Vermonters know that."
Ms Hallquist defeated Ethan Sonneborn, 14, a schoolboy who was allowed to stand because the state's constitution has no age requirement for the governor's job.
She also beat a Navy veteran and the executive director of a dance festival to clinch victory.
There were a number of other significant victories on Tuesday.
Somali-American wins in Minnesota
Ilhan Omar, a refugee from Somalia who came to the US as a teenager, won her Democratic primary in the state's fifth district.
The victory puts the 36-year-old in a strong position to become one of the first female Muslim members of Congress in November.
"Tonight, we are celebrating because we engaged and empowered our community and we won," she tweeted following her victory.
Teacher could make history in Connecticut
Jahana Hayes celebrates winning the 2016 National Teacher of the Year with US President Barack Obama. Photo: AFP
Jahana Hayes, who was named national teacher of the year in 2016, won the Democratic nomination in a western district of Connecticut.
She will now contest the seat vacated by Elizabeth Esty, who resigned after a sexual harassment and misconduct scandal came to light in her office.
Ms Hayes's victory marks a significant step towards her becoming the state's first black Democrat in Congress.
Bernie Sanders marches on
Ex-presidential candidate Bernie Sanders cruised to victory in Vermont's Democratic Senate primary, paving the way for him to serve a third term.
The 76-year-old hasn't ruled out a second run for the presidency in 2020.
But he is expected to decline the Democratic nomination and run as an independent candidate with the party's backing, as he has done previously.
If elected in November, Mr Sanders would extend his run as the longest-serving independent in US congressional history.
Trump pick gets a shot
In Minnesota, a key battleground state, Republicans opted for the party's county commissioner Jeff Johnson in the governor primary.
He defeated former governor Tim Pawlenty, who was hoping to regain his old job.
But Mr Pawlenty alienated the US president's supporters after once calling Mr Trump "unhinged and unfit".
Kobach's victory
A Trump loyalist, Kris Kobach, was declared the winner of a Republican primary for Kansas state governor, a week after voters went to the polls.
Kris Kobach ousted the current Republican governor, Jeff Colyer, by just 345 votes.
Mr Kobach, who is Kansas' secretary of state, has advised President Trump on illegal immigration policy, and served on his now-defunct voter fraud commission.
Embattled candidate prevails
Minnesota Congressman Keith Ellison won the Democratic primary for attorney general, after denying abuse claims that surfaced days before the vote.
His ex-girlfriend alleged at the weekend that she had been assaulted and emotionally abused by the first-Muslim US congressman and deputy chairman of the Democratic National Committee.
He addressed the allegation in his victory speech.
"We had a very unexpected event at the end of this campaign that happened," he said. "I want to assure you that it is not true."
- BBC
