Who is Ryan Zinke?
He has been accused of a series of scandals
REPUBLICAN Ryan Zinke is running for a Congressional seat in the 2022 primary elections against four other republican candidates.
Zinke previously worked as the Interior secretary for former President in 2017 but stepped down the following year.
Who is Ryan Zinke?
Ryan Zinke is an American and businessman who served as former President Donald Trump's first interior secretary in 2017.
He is born and raised in and has held the position of State Senator for two terms and was elected to twice before accepting the role of working for Trump.
Prior to entering politics, Zinke earned his Bachelor's degree in geology from the University of in 1984 and his MBA in business finance from the National University in 1991.
He joined the in 1994 and served for 23 years before retiring from the military in 2008. While serving for the US Navy, Zinke earned his Master's degree in global leadership from the University of San Diego in 2003.
Trump brought Zinke on to the White House staff in 2017 to work toward increasing fossil fuel production in the US as part of Trump's energy dominance agenda.
“In two years, we got a hell of a lot done," Zinke told . He used examples saying, "... We put huge amounts of money, the most investment ever in the history of the country in our national parks to shore up infrastructure.
“We were energy, all of the sudden, independent, energy dominant. It can be done.”
Why did Ryan Zinke step down as Interior Secretary?
Zinke stepped down as interior secretary in 2018, only one year after he took up the post. At the time, Zinke was accused of using his position for personal gain and Nicole Ghio from Friends of the Earth claimed he was "plundering our land and enriching himself and his friends."
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The president of the League of Conservation Voters, Gene Karpinski, called Zinke “the most scandal-plagued interior secretary in recent memory.”
While holding the position, claims suggest Zinke worked to advance oil and gas drilling, mining on or near public land, allegedly reversed protection for threatened species, and shrank national monuments.
In a statement to , Zinke's campaign claimed the investigation was "a political hit job" and "false information," and denied any wrongdoing.
Ana Unruh Cohen, managing director for the Natural Resources Defense Council, said Zinke was "wholly unqualified" to lead the department.
She added, "Instead of protecting our natural heritage, Zinke acted like the chief lobbyist for the oil and gas industries. If his successor also puts the interests of polluters ahead of safeguarding public health and the environment, he or she will encounter the same wall of resistance."
Trump announced Zinke's departure on in December 2018, writing, "@RyanZinke will be leaving the Administration at the end of the year after having served for a period of almost two years.
"Ryan has accomplished much during his tenure and I want to thank him for his service to our Nation."
Zinke's final day with the administration was on January 2, 2019.
Is Ryan Zinke running for Congress?
Zinke entered the primaries in an effort to return to Congress after leaving the in 2019.
He has been endorsed by Trump who says he will be "instrumental" in the position and in a statement, he said, "Under Ryan Zinke’s leadership at the Department of the Interior, the U.S. achieved Energy Dominance, increased federal energy revenues, and responsibly opened federal acreage for energy production.
He added that Zinke "was instrumental in expanding public access to public lands for recreation and rebuilding our National Parks and Forests infrastructure. As Montana’s Congressman for the new 2nd District, Ryan will fight against the Radical Left who continually block the America First policies we put in place.
"He will be a strong leader for the great Patriots of Montana. Ryan has my Complete and Total Endorsement for Congress!"
According to Zinke's official website, if elected, his policies will include:
- Low taxes and a strong economy
- Securing the US border
- Conservation and public access to public lands
- Keeping our promise to our veterans
- Protecting our Second Amendment & individual liberties
- Peace through strength
- American energy independence
- Limited Federal government intervention
- The sovereignty of Montana’s great Tribal Nations
Zinke responded to Trump's endorsement and thanked the former president for his vote of confidence and support in the upcoming elections.
"I am deeply honored to have President Trump’s complete and total support and endorsement for Montana’s new congressional seat," he said in a statement.
"Together, President Trump and I fought liberal special interests to restore sanity to public land management, rebuild public lands infrastructure, take care of our forests, and make United States energy dominant.
"... I look forward to getting back in the saddle and fighting for Montana and the America First Policies."
The congressional primary election will take place on June 7, 2022, and polls will close at 8pm local time.
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