Q&A: Rep. Ryan Zinke on public lands, the election and bridging the divide

October 30, 2024

Public lands have been a leading topic this election cycle and on Monday, Rep. Ryan Zinke stopped by the Chronicle to share his perspective. The third-term-seeking former Navy SEAL sat down with the Chronicle for an hour, fixated mostly on public lands as a bipartisan issue.

Arguing for fewer regulations and a restructuring of how public lands are managed, the congressman iterated multiple times that he does not support the sale or transfer of any public lands. Rather, he wants to change how they are managed, using a broader “landscape”-style approach to aid conservation, strengthen biodiversity and prevent wildfires.

During his time in office, Zinke has supported the Great American Outdoors Act and, most recently, he introduced the Public Lands in Public Hands Act, receiving bipartisan support.

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Passing down our Montana birthright | Rep. Ryan Zinke

October 28, 2024

There’s a lot to love about growing up in Montana, but one of my fondest childhood memories was with my dad and brother on opening weekend of rifle season.

We’d be out of the house before the sun came up, every pair of socks we owned were on our feet, and our pockets were stuffed with boloney sandwiches. I would study each trail and track like the Bulldogs playbook, and I was positive every scrape on a tree meant a monster bull elk was lurking just out of sight. When I retired from the Navy and Lola and I moved the kids back to the Flathead that was one of the first things I did with the boys. I passed down their Montana birthright.

Opening weekend is a tradition passed on from generation to generation that can only continue if we maintain public access to public lands and if we are good stewards of the land and wildlife. America’s hunters are our best tool for conservation, and policy needs to reflect that. I’m proud that the majority of the bills I’ve introduced in Congress and orders I signed as Secretary promote stewardship and sportsmanship.

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Zinke discusses illegal immigration with Gallatin Co. Sheriff’s Office

October 25, 2024

BOZEMAN, Mont. — U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke visited the Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office on Friday to check in on the law enforcement agency and discuss pressing topics.

Zinke met with Gallatin County Sheriff Dan Springer to discuss if immigrants here without legal permission were causing a spike in criminal activity in the Gallatin Valley.

Springer said as the community continues to grow, so does the number of immigrants here without legal permission and the crime that comes with them.

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Zinke condemns alleged ballot box tampering in Glacier Co.

October 25, 2024

A video from social media is creating concern among Montana election officials after a person reportedly tampered with a ballot box in Glacier County. We spoke with U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke in Bozeman Friday to get his thoughts on the matter.

“I am glad that was looked at, and it should be a warning to everyone. That we are vigilant on our ballot process, our voting process. I think the county did exactly the right thing,” said Zinke.

The “highly suspicious” video shows a person reportedly trying to loosen a ballot box from a post.

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Montana Congressman Calls Out Opponent For ‘Fraudulently’ Entering His Property

October 16, 2024

Montana District 1 Congressman Ryan Zinke appeared on the KGVO Talk Back show on Wednesday and opened the discussion by calling out his democratic opponent Monica Tranel for allegedly ‘fraudulently’ entering his property to film a campaign commercial.

“There are lines,” began Zinke. “For someone to fraudulently enter our property and film in our property and bounce on our bed; that’s a bridge too far, but it goes beyond the pale to stand in our driveway to film a commercial and lie about it. The Flathead Beacon stated that it was a lie.”

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Letter to the editor: Proud to have Zinke representing us

October 07, 2024

Earlier this year, I reached out to the three federal officeholders representing Bozeman: Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester and Rep. Ryan Zinke. At first, all three agreed to meet with me in D.C. but Sen. Tester’s office stopped responding when the date of the meetings approached. I was able to meet with the staff of Sen. Daines and Rep. Zinke and they were very concerned with the issue raised.

Ultimately, it was Rep. Zinke who took the lead and over the course of several months as his office worked with me to gather the facts and then prepare a demand that AG Garland enforce the relevant civil rights laws.

While I remain quite disappointed that Sen. Tester’s office apparently caved to political pressure and chose to not meet with me, I am incredibly proud that Rep. Zinke took the time to meet and followed through with his promise to help.

Rep. Zinke is a leader who understands the needs of vulnerable constituencies. It’s easy to pay for ads that present a glowing image of a candidate, but actions matter more and Rep. Zinke has proven to be a Congressman who responds to his constituents.

I am very proud to have him representing me in Congress and on my own behalf I urge Montana voters to look at Rep. Zinke’s commitment to justice and equality this November. Follow this read more.

Marc Greendorfer, President, Zachor Legal Institute,

Bozeman

Letter to the Editor: Thank you, Congressman Zinke, for your unequivocal leadership

September 16, 2024

Rep. Ryan Zinke is an exception who made it clear from day one that the border is a priority. In June of 2023, Zinke voted in favor of The Secure Border Act (H.R. 2) and stated, “Montanans – know that border is a mess … It is time to secure our border.” Zinke, a former Navy Seal, knows something about security. That bill mandated an end to the Biden Administration’s catch-and-release policies and passed the House but was not allowed a vote in the Senate.

In May of 2024, a group of migrants contacted the Flathead County Sherriff’s Office seeking overnight accommodations. Like others of the then estimated 7.3 million who’d crossed since President Biden’s policies were imposed, these migrants were given a plane ticket to New York and then to Kalispell. Again Rep. Zinke did not mince words: “The only way an illegal immigrant from South America ends up in Montana is if a nonprofit connected with the Biden Administration moves them there … Montana law enforcement, schools and safety nets are being stressed to the max … It’s a national security risk … and needs to end now.”

Cities across Montana are now facing cartel-level drug trafficking, sex trafficking and increased rates of felony-level crimes. Montana needs leaders willing to call it like it is and act to secure our borders. Thank you, Congressman Zinke, for your unequivocal leadership. Follow this to read more.

Roger Fleming
Bozeman