Ryan Zinke Discusses Run for the U.S. House of Representatives

He knows his way around Washington, D.C. with a term as Montana’s lone Congressman, as well as President Trump’s choice for the U.S. Department of the Interior, so Montana businessman Ryan Zinke explained to KGVO on Monday why he will run for the state's new U.S. House seat.

“Our country's in peril, and as a former Navy SEAL commander and that I spent some time in state politics and the Congressional side and the cabinet, I don't think the biggest threat is Russia or China or even Iran,” said Zinke. “I think the biggest threat is the division in this country.”

Zinke said members of both parties will somehow have to find a way to work together.

“We're going to have to learn to work together to solve the problems and the problems are significant,” he said. “But how do you solve it? You start with a Constitution and then you go out from there, I mean, these people are talking about dismantling the Constitution. If there's one document that guarantees rights of individuals, it’s that self determination stems from the Constitution. I've given an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.”

Zinke said the eastern and western sides of the state can also work together in Congress.

“We're going to have to work together,” he said. “With Montana having two seats, our voice has to be also Montanan. In eastern and western Montana, there are differences, but a lot of the issues we face are common among our state. I mean the sage grouse problem in the east is very similar to the grizzly bear problem in the west, and so it's time to work together. And if you look at accomplishments, both in energy and environment, I get things done.”

Zinke was asked is he was running for the U.S. House only to spend one term and then run against Jon Tester for the Senate.

“Jon Tester still owes me a steak because he bet against me that I'd run against him in the  Senate,” he said “I said, Jon, I bet you a steak dinner, and I'm sure next time I see him he's going to be anxious to buy me a steak dinner. But I think right now, what's important is that we get balance and dialogue back in the House.”

Zinke has been in the private sector for the past several years since having been the Secretary of the Interior in the cabinet of President Donald Trump.