[1] Tranel was born in Big Horn, Wyoming,[2] She grew up in eastern Montana, attending grade school in Miles City, Ashland and Broadview.

[3] She graduated from Billings Central Catholic High School, where she competed in basketball and track.

[11] Tranel was the 2022 Democratic candidate for Montana's 1st congressional district, running against Ryan Zinke and John Lamb.

[12][13][14][15][16] 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.

[18] Tranel was the 2024 Democratic candidate for Montana's 1st congressional district, running against Ryan Zinke in a reprise of the 2022 election.