Ryan Zinke
Ryan Zinke | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Montana | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Constituency re-established |
| Succeeded by | Sam Forstag (elect) |
| Constituency | 1st district |
| In office January 3, 2015 – March 1, 2017 | |
| Preceded by | Steve Daines |
| Succeeded by | Greg Gianforte |
| Constituency | At-large district |
| 52nd United States Secretary of the Interior | |
| In office March 1, 2017 – January 2, 2019 | |
| President | Donald Trump |
| Deputy | David Bernhardt |
| Preceded by | Sally Jewell |
| Succeeded by | David Bernhardt |
| Member of the Montana Senate from the 2nd district | |
| In office January 3, 2009 – January 3, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Dan Weinberg |
| Succeeded by | Dee L. Brown |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Ryan Keith Zinke November 1, 1961 Bozeman, Montana, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse(s) |
Lolita Hand (m. 1992) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Oregon (BS) National University (MBA) University of San Diego (MS) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1986–2008 |
| Rank |  Commander |
| Unit |  SEAL Team SixSEAL Team One NSWU-2 Naval Special Warfare Center |
| Awards |  Bronze Star (2) Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2) Meritorious Service Medal (4) Joint Service Commendation Medal (2) Army Commendation Medal |
Ryan Keith Zinke (born November 1, 1961) is an American politician. He is member of the Republican Party. He is the member of the United States House of Representatives for Montana's 1st congressional district since 2023. He was the 52nd United States Secretary of the Interior from 2017 to 2019.
Zinke served as a member of the Montana State Senate, representing Senate District 2 from 2009 to 2011. He was the Republican congressman for Montana's at-large congressional district having won in the 2014 election. He resigned as a U.S. representative on March 1, 2017.
On December 15, 2018, President Donald Trump announced that Zinke would leave the position as Interior Secretary by the end of 2018. He left the office on January 2, 2019.
Early life
Zinke was born in Bozeman, Montana and raised in Whitefish. He is the son of Jean Montana (Harlow) Petersen and Ray Dale Zinke, a plumber.
Zinke earned a B.S. in geology in 1984 at the University of Oregon. Zinke later earned an M.B.A. from National University in 1993 and an M.S. in global leadership from the University of San Diego in 2003.
United States representative (2015–2017)
In Congress, Zinke has supported the deployment of U.S. ground troops to combat ISIL, "abandoning" the Affordable Care Act, and cutting regulations. He supported a Republican effort to repeal the estate tax.
Zinke "frequently votes against environmentalists on issues ranging from coal extraction to oil and gas drilling" and received a 3 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters.
United States Secretary of the Interior (2017–2019)
On December 13, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump picked Zinke for the position of United States Secretary of the Interior. Zinke was confirmed on March 1, 2017, becoming the first Navy SEAL to occupy a Cabinet position.
As Secretary, Zinke opened more federal lands for oil, gas and mineral exploration and extraction. Zinke's spendings as Secretary of the Interior, which included expensive flights, raised ethical questions and controversy, and were investigated by the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General. On October 30, 2018, the investigation into Zinke was referred to the Justice Department by Interior's Inspector General.
Trump announced on December 15, 2018, that Zinke would leave his post by the end of 2018. He was replaced by his deputy David Bernhardt.
United States representative (since 2023)
On April 29, 2021 it was reported that Zinke had filed to run for Montana's newly reformed 2nd congressional district. He was elected to the U.S. House in November 2022.
In March 2026, Zinke announced that he would not run for re-election in that year's congressional election.
Personal life
Zinke has been married to Lolita Hand. They have three children. Zinke is Lutheran.
References
- ↑ "Ryan Zinke Announces Statewide Bus Tour". 30 April 2014. Archived from the original on 18 May 2014. Retrieved 18 May 2014.
- ↑ Zinke, Ryan (2016). American Commander: Serving a Country Worth Fighting For and Training the Brave Soldiers Who Lead the Way. Thomas Nelson. p. 64. ISBN 978-0-7180-8167-6.
- 1 2 Smita Nordwall (December 15, 2016). "Who is Ryan Zinke?". Voice of America.
- 1 2
- Will Wadley, MT Republicans push repeal of 'Death Tax', KECI (April 15, 2015).
- Christopher Doering, Farm groups urge Senate to follow House and repeal estate tax, Great Falls Tribune (April 16, 2015).
- ↑ Juliet Eilperin, Trump taps Montana congressman Ryan Zinke as interior secretary, Washington Post (December 13, 2016).
- ↑ Vogel, Kenneth; Severns, Maggie (December 13, 2016). "Trump selects Zinke as interior secretary". Politico. Washington, DC. Retrieved December 13, 2016.
- ↑ Steele, Jeanette. "Zinke marks 1st Navy SEAL for Cabinet slot". sandiegouniontribune.com. Retrieved 2017-02-14.
- ↑ Killough, Ashley; Barrett, Ted (March 1, 2017). "Senate approves Trump's nominee for Interior". CNN. Retrieved 1 March 2017.
- ↑ Turkewitz, Julie (April 16, 2018). "Ryan Zinke Is Opening Up Public Lands. Just Not at Home". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 17, 2018.
- ↑ "Ryan Zinke's use of charter flights under investigation by interior department". TheGuardian.com. Associated Press. October 2, 2017.
- ↑ washingtonpost.com 1 November 2018: White House concerned Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke violated federal rules
- ↑ politico.com 30 October 2018: Zinke’s heir apparent ready to step in
- ↑ Cama, Timothy; Green, Miranda (December 15, 2018). "Interior chief Zinke to leave administration". The Hill. Washington, D.C. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- ↑ Emily Holden Oliver Milman (December 15, 2018). "Embattled interior secretary Ryan Zinke steps down after series of scandals". Theguardian.com. Retrieved December 15, 2018.
- ↑ News, A. B. C. "Former Trump official Ryan Zinke files paperwork for congressional seat in Montana". ABC News. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ↑ Markay, Lachlan. "Former Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke signals Montana House bid". Axios. Archived from the original on 2021-04-29. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
- ↑ Zilbermints, Regina (2021-04-29). "Trump Interior Secretary Zinke files to run for Congress, again". TheHill. Retrieved 2021-04-29.
- ↑ "Zinke announces he won't seek reelection". The Hill. March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ↑ "The Voter's Self Defense System".
Other websites
- Official U.S. House website Archived 2016-07-20 at the Wayback Machine
- Campaign website Archived 2013-12-06 at the Wayback Machine
- Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
- Voting record maintained by The Washington Post
- Biography, voting record, and interest group ratings at Vote Smart
- Campaign finance reports and data at the Federal Election Commission
- Appearances on C-SPAN
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