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Montana GOP Rep. Ryan Zinke Steps Down From Congress Due to Health Issues

Monday, March 2, 2026 at 4:33 PM

Ryan Zinke, who previously served as Interior Secretary under Donald Trump, announced he will not run for a fifth House term due to ongoing medical concerns from military injuries. The Montana Republican's departure could open up an opportunity for Democrats in the traditionally conservative state.

Montana Republican Ryan Zinke, who previously held the position of Interior Secretary under Donald Trump, announced Monday he will step away from Congress after his current term, pointing to medical issues as the reason for his decision.

The announcement creates a potential opening for Democratic candidates in Montana, a state that has shifted significantly toward conservative politics in recent election cycles.

Zinke, who served as a Navy SEAL before entering politics, explained in a message to voters that he has endured several surgical procedures in recent years due to injuries from his military service, with additional medical treatments still ahead. While emphasizing that his health condition poses no threat to his life, he acknowledged that recovery would demand substantial time away from his duties.

“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 absences and missed votes,” he wrote.

Zinke’s political journey began in Montana’s state legislature, where he served four years before winning his first congressional seat in 2014. Trump selected him to lead the Interior Department in 2017, though Zinke stepped down from that role in 2018 as multiple ethics probes emerged. He successfully returned to electoral politics in 2022, claiming victory by a narrow margin in Montana’s newly established western congressional district, then securing reelection in 2024 with a more decisive win.

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