Ryan Zinke, a Montana Republican who served as interior secretary during Donald Trump's first term, has announced he will not seek re-election to a fifth term in the US House of Representatives, citing health concerns. The decision gives Democrats an outside chance to pick up a House seat in a state that has shifted to the right politically over the past decade.
Zinke, a former Navy Seal, stated in a letter to constituents that he has undergone multiple surgeries in recent years and faces more medical procedures due to injuries sustained during his military service. He described his condition as not life-threatening but requiring considerable recovery time, adding that it would be better for Montana and America to have full-time representation in Congress rather than risk uncertain absences and missed votes.
After serving four years in the Montana legislature, Zinke was elected to the US House in 2014. He joined Trump's cabinet as interior secretary in 2017 but resigned in 2018 amid several ethics investigations. He returned to politics in 2022, narrowly winning a newly created congressional district in western Montana, and was re-elected by a comfortable margin in 2024.
Several Democrats had already lined up to challenge Zinke in the upcoming November election, including former gubernatorial candidate Ryan Busse and union organiser Sam Forstag. Montana Governor Greg Gianforte praised Zinke as a 'champion for Montana', noting his service as a Seal and in politics.
During his tenure at the interior department, Zinke advanced Trump's 'drill, baby, drill' agenda, boosting oil and gas extraction from federal lands. He also advocated for conservation and last year helped remove potential sales of public lands from a Republican budget proposal, opposing some members of his own party.
