Monica Tranel, a Democrat running for Congress in Montana, has expressed support for students participating in sports based on gender identity, despite claiming to be a moderate on the issue.
Monica Tranel, a Democrat running for Montana's newly created western district U.S. House seat, has sparked controversy with her stance on transgender participation in sports, despite claiming to represent the "missing middle" on issues.
In a video obtained by Fox News Digital, Tranel states her belief that "trans kids" should participate in sports. However, when asked specifically about whether biological males should compete in women's sports, she did not provide a clear answer, saying instead that she supports "Montanan's privacy and freedom."
Tranel's stance has drawn criticism from Riley Gaines, a former swimmer who was forced to compete against a biological male in the 2022 NCAA championship. Gaines argues that Tranel's position "blatantly underscores a disconnection with the people of Montana who value fairness in women’s sports."
According to a Gallup poll, nearly 70% of Americans believe that individuals should compete in sports based on their biological sex rather than gender identity. Gaines believes that Tranel's views are "ignorant at best or a sellout at worst" and do not represent the consensus of the community.
A spokesperson for the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) echoed Gaines' sentiments, stating that Tranel's position is "completely out-of-step" with Montana values.
The video of Tranel's remarks was recorded just weeks before the Montana Supreme Court overturned a state law banning biological males from competing in women's sports. Tranel appeared to be unaware of the ban at the time but said that she believes transgender students should have the right to participate in sports.
In a statement, Tranel said that she "trusts Montana parents to make the best decisions for their kids" and that she supports Montanan's "freedom and privacy to live their lives as they see fit."
However, a spokesperson for incumbent Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke criticized Tranel, calling her "a far left activist who is trying to convince voters she’s a moderate." The spokesperson pointed to Tranel's previous support for policies that would limit families' ability to control their own lives.
The debate over transgender participation in sports is highly contentious, with strong opinions on both sides. Tranel's stance has drawn attention to the issue and sparked further discussion about the rights of transgender individuals and the fairness of women's sports.
