DUMMERSTON — A well-known Vermont journalist has launched a Kickstarter campaign aimed at raising $45,000 - the funds necessary to complete a book chronicling the full behind-the-scenes story of Christine Hallquist's 2018 run as the first openly transgender major-party nominee for governor in the United States.
The Democratic Party nominee, Hallquist, formerly the CEO of Vermont Electric Cooperative, lost to Republican incumbent Phil Scott.
After being included in all campaign team calls and events from the beginning of the campaign in March of 2018, Joyce Marcel has amassed hundreds of hours of transcripts and materials in her research of the “true story of why Hallquist's history-making campaign was a success” despite the election loss, according to a news release.
Marcel is a longtime freelance journalist and columnist and often contributes to The Commons.
The Christine Chronicles has earned the support of Hallquist and her campaign manager, Cameron Russell, who said the journalist was granted access to “all campaign communications, conference calls, events, and gave her all the insider knowledge possible.”
For her part, Hallquist said she is “honored and humbled” to be the subject of Marcel's project.
“I met Joyce Marcel in 2017 when she wrote a cover story about me in Vermont Business Magazine,” Hallquist said. “I was so impressed with her in-depth questioning and her ability to see through nuance.
“When she asked whether I would consider allowing her to cover my campaign full-time, the only answer was 'Yes!' I don't know the exact details of what will be in Joyce's book, but I assure you that it will be interesting, entertaining, authentic, and that you will not be able to put it down.”
The crowdfunding site offers a number of levels of support with rewards ranging from one signed copy (by both Hallquist and Marcel) to an exclusive dinner with the two.
The Kickstarter campaign will run until 7 p.m. on Aug. 14 - the one-year anniversary of Hallquist's history-making Democratic Party primary win.