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Monica Tranel
Monica Tranel on Vlogbrothers.jpg
Tranel on a Vlogbrothers video in 2022
Personal details
Born
Monica Joan Tranel

(1966-05-04) May 4, 1966 (age 57)
Big Horn, Wyoming, U.S.
Political party Republican (before 2020)
Democratic (2020–present)
Spouse Greg Lind
Education Gonzaga University (BA)
Rutgers University, Camden (JD)
Monica Tranel
Medal record
Women's rowing
Representing  United States
World Rowing Championships
Gold 1995 Tampere W8+
Silver 1994 Indianapolis W8+
Silver 1994 Indianapolis W4-
Silver 1999 St. Catharines W8+
Bronze 1993 Račice W4x

Monica Joan Tranel (also Tranel-Michini; born May 4, 1966) is an American rower, lawyer, and political candidate. She competed at the 1996 and 2000 Summer Olympics. A member of the Democratic Party, Tranel ran unsuccessfully for Montana's 1st congressional district in the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana. She announced a bid for the same congressional seat in anticipation of the 2024 elections. Before running for Congress, she was twice a candidate for the Montana Public Service Commission and sought election to the Helena City Commission.

Early life and education

Tranel was born in Big Horn, Wyoming, on May 4, 1966. She grew up across Montana, including in Miles City, Ashland, and Billings. She graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School, where she competed in basketball and track.

In 1988, Tranel earned a Bachelor of Arts from Gonzaga University. In 1991, she earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers University–Camden.

Rowing

In 1991, Tranel started rowing in competition. In 1993, Tranel won a bronze medal in women's coxed four at the World Rowing Championships.

In 1994, Tranel was rowing in the Fairmount Rowing Association. She competed in the World Rowing Championships in Tampere, Finland, that year, where her team won gold. In 1995, Tranel won a silver media in the women's eight at the World Championships at the Royal Canadian Henley Rowing Course in Saint Catharines, Ontario.

Tranel finished fourth in the women's eight at the 1996 Summer Olympics. She also competed in the 2000 Summer Olympics, where she finished 12th in women's singles scull races.

The University of Montana named one of their 40-foot (12 m) four-seat competition boats "The Tranel" in her honor.

In 2015, Tranel placed 23rd in the Head of the Charles Regatta in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Political and legal career

Local and state-level offices

In 2004, as a Republican, Tranel sought election to the Montana Public Service Commission while working as a staff attorney at the commission. She was defeated in the Republican primary.

After working at the commission for four years, Tranel worked for Republican Senator Conrad Burns in Washington, D.C., for a short time, before returning to Butte, Montana, in 2005 and opening a private practice in 2006. She later left the Republican Party.

From 2010 to 2013, Tranel served as a trustee for the Montana Bar Association. In 2015, Tranel ran for the Helena City Commission.

In 2020, as a Democrat, Tranel again sought election to the Montana Public Service Commission. She was defeated in the general election by Montana Senator Jennifer Fielder, a Republican.

U.S. House of Representatives

Tranel was the Democratic candidate for Montana's western congressional district, running against Ryan Zinke and John Lamb. During the lead-up to the 2022 United States House of Representatives elections in Montana, American vlogger Hank Green interviewed Tranel in Missoula and Bozeman. Tranel lost to Zinke in the general election, receiving 46% of the vote to Zinke's 50%. In July 2023, Tranel became the first candidate to officially announce a bid for Montana's first congressional district in 2024.

Personal life

Tranel has nine siblings. She and her second husband, Jack Morris, had two daughters. Tranel described herself as "a single mother" in 2015.

Starting in 2001, she lived in Helena, Montana, for several years. She currently lives in Missoula with her husband, former state senator Greg Lind, and her three daughters.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Monica Tranel para niños

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