Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke announced on Monday he will not run for reelection, the latest House Republican to retire ahead of the midterms.
The former Interior secretary said in a letter to constituents that health issues motivated his decision to leave Washington. Zinke said he’s undergone “multiple surgeries” since returning to Congress in 2023 to correct injuries sustained during his time as a Navy SEAL.
“The injuries sustained from a career in Special Operations are not immediately life threatening, but the repair cannot be deferred any longer and recovery will require considerable time with Lola and the family,” Zinke said. “My judgement and experience tell me it is better for Montana and America to have full-time representation in Congress than run the risk of uncertain absence and missed votes.”
Zinke’s decision to wait until next year to leave Washington will likely be viewed as a gift to House Republican leadership, as they navigate the duration of the current Congress with a slim majority.
His retirement could make Montana’s 1st District more competitive for Democrats in November. Prior to the announcement, House Democrats had been targeting the district, which Zinke won by eight points in 2024.
Hours after Zinke’s announcement, Montana talk radio host Aaron Flint announced his campaign for Congress in a social media post. Flint immediately earned the endorsement of Sen. Tim Sheehy (R-Mon.), who called him “a strong voice for Montana Values across our airwaves.”
Zinke later joined Sheehy in endorsing Flint.
“When our country needed him after the September 11th terrorist attacks, Aaron raised his hand to serve. Now when Montana needs him again, he’s ready to serve,” Zinke wrote on social media. “He has my complete and total endorsement!”
Zinke said he spoke to President Donald Trump and Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte before announcing his retirement. In a statement, Gianforte praised Zinke for being “an outspoken advocate for Montanans and our values from protecting public lands to restoring accountability in the federal government.”
Zinke entered Congress in 2015, then left to join Trump’s first Cabinet as secretary of the Interior. He resigned in 2019 after being the subject of multiple investigations into his conduct in office and his business dealings. He ran for Congress again in 2022.
Prior to entering Congress, Zinke served with the Navy SEALs for over 20 years and served as a deputy commander of the Joint Special Forces during the Iraq War. He was awarded the Bronze Star in 2006.
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