Zinke announces run for U.S. House

Retired Navy SEAL commander and former state senator Ryan Zinke announced his candidacy for Montana’s lone U.S. House seat on Oct. 21 at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Billings and via live-streaming over the Internet.

Zinke, 51, a native of Whitefish who represented Columbia Falls and Whitefish in the state senate and ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor with Neil Livingstone in 2012, said he was frustrated with the lack of meaningful problem solving in Washington, D.C. He said his goal is to address a “crisis of trust” in the United States.

Two other Republican candidates also have declared their candidacy — former state Sen. Corey Stapleton, of Billings, and state Sen. Matt Rosendale, of Glendive.

All three are looking at the seat currently held by Montana’s lone representative, Republican Steve Daines, who is expected to run for the Senate seat that Democratic Sen. Max Baucus will retire from next year.

“I think you’ll find that in the near future, Steve will be announcing for the Senate,” Zinke said.

Zinke said the public is frustrated by the sharp political divide in Washington, D.C., which has led to a stalemate and lack of progress.

“There doesn’t seem to be any solutions,” he said. “I think less politics and more leadership is needed.”

The recent government shutdown should have put President Barack Obama on notice that the federal government needs a firm budget rather than going through constant motions to increase spending, Zinke said.

The shutdown was also about Republicans trying to defund or lessen impacts from Obamacare, which Zinke described as a “train wreck.”

“Let’s figure this thing out, because people are really upset,” he said. “America’s strength isn’t the government, it’s the people.”

Zinke also cited a declining faith in government.

“We are in a crisis of trust,” he said. “As a 23-year veteran of the Navy SEALs, I can attest that as a nation it’s inconceivable that we lose trust in our government. How do we restore faith in our government?”

Zinke emphasized economic freedom, less regulation, favoring markets deciding winners and losers, and the pursuit of American energy independence.

“I will fight a national commitment to become energy independent in five years,” he said.

Zinke mentioned support from veterans groups and favorable internal polling as other reasons for his decision to run for the U.S. House.

“The polling is favorable. I have to deliver my message, and to me, my strength is with veterans and people who care about the country,” he said.