The candidacy of a transgender woman running for state office in Ohio is being challenged after the biological male failed to disclose the name the candidate was given at birth.

Arienne Childrey, a 41-year-old biological male identifying as female, is a native of St. Marys and the sole Democrat hopeful seeking to represent Ohio’s 84th House District, according to a report.

However, Childrey’s run for office became mired after Mercer County Republican Party Chair Robert Hibner called on the Mercer County Board of Elections to deny Childrey’s campaign petition, citing a name violation.

Hibner accused Childrey of violating an Ohio statute that requires all individuals seeking political office to list all names if they legally changed their name within five years, according to the report.

Enacted in 1995, the statute has no exemption for individuals identifying as transgender.

“As they’re actively attacking us, they certainly want to ensure that we don’t get an opportunity to hold any of the same power that they hold,” Childrey said in response to the accusation and the challenge against Vanessa Joy, another transgender candidate who was disqualified under the same statute, the report noted.

The candidate added that had the requirement for including a birth name been made more clear, it would have been met.

“Having to use your deadname is horrible. It is an attack on who we are,” Childrey said. “But would I have put it down because the goal to me is more important than my personal pride? Hell yes, I would have.”

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The notion that Childrey is being targeted because of the candidate’s transgender status appeared to be denied by Mercer County Board of Elections attorney Amy Ikerd.

“We’re just trying to follow the statute and keep the politics out of this as much as we can,” Ikerd said.