Democrat Candidate Monica Tranel Advocates for Students Playing Sports Based on Gender Identity

Despite claiming to be a "moderate," Democrat House candidate Monica Tranel supports allowing transgender students to compete in sports based on their gender identity, a stance that has drawn criticism from those who believe it undermines fairness in women's sports.

Monica Tranel, a Democrat running for Congress in Montana, has come under fire for her support of transgender students participating in sports based on gender identity. In a video obtained by Fox News Digital, Tranel expresses her belief that "trans kids" should be allowed to compete in sports.

Tranel's position has been met with criticism from conservative groups and Republican officials, who argue that allowing biological males to compete in women's sports undermines fairness and negates the level playing field that Title IX was designed to protect.

"Claiming to represent the ‘missing middle’ while advocating for policies that ignore the majority’s views on the common sense understanding of men's and women's sports participation makes Tranel ignorant at best or a sellout at worst," said Riley Gaines, a swimmer who was forced to compete against a biological male in the 2022 NCAA championship.

A national Gallup poll found that nearly 70% of Americans believe individuals should compete in sports based on their biological sex rather than gender identity. The Montana Supreme Court recently overturned a state law banning biological males from competing in women's sports.

Tranel has defended her position, saying that she supports "Montanan’s privacy and freedom," and that she believes "trans kids" should have the same opportunities as other students.

"I will always support Montanan’s privacy and freedom, and as a mother with daughters in the Montana school system, nothing is more important to me than their safety and growth. I trust Montana parents to make the best decisions for their kids," Tranel said in a statement.

A spokesperson for her Republican opponent, Rep. Ryan Zinke, described Tranel as a "far left activist who is trying to convince voters she’s a moderate."

"Her record and her own words prove she’s an extremist," said Colton Snedecor, Spokesperon for Zinke. "Monica was the lawyer for a child rapist’s appeal and tried to get him out of jail, she supports mutilating and transitioning children, and she fully supports men in girls' locker rooms and sports."

Tranel lost to Zinke in the 2022 midterm elections.