Ryan Zinke
Ryan Keith Zinke (/ˈzɪŋki/ ZING-kee; born November 1, 1961) is an American politician and businessman serving as the U.S. representative for Montana's 1st congressional district since 2023. A member of the Republican Party, Zinke served in the Montana Senate from 2009 to 2013 and as the U.S. representative for the at-large congressional district from 2015 to 2017.[1] He served as the United States secretary of the interior under president Donald Trump from 2017 until his resignation in 2019 following a series of ethical scandals.[2]
Ryan Zinke
Constituency reestablished
David Bernhardt
3
United States
1986–2008
SEAL Team Six
SEAL Team One
NSWU-2
Naval Special Warfare Center
Zinke graduated from multiple colleges before he was a U.S. Navy SEAL from 1986 until 2008, retiring as a commander.[3] The first SEAL to be elected to the U.S. House of Representatives,[4] he formerly served as a member of the Natural Resources Committee and the Armed Services Committee.[5] As a member of Congress, Zinke supported the use of ground troops in the Middle East to combat ISIS, and opposed the Affordable Care Act, various environmental regulations, and the transfer of federal lands to individual states.
Zinke was appointed secretary of the interior by Trump. He was confirmed on March 1, 2017, becoming the first SEAL and the first Montanan since statehood to occupy a Cabinet position.[6][7]
As Secretary, Zinke opened some federal lands for oil, gas and mineral exploration and extraction.[8] His actions as interior secretary raised ethical questions and were investigated by the Interior Department's Office of Inspector General.[9][10] In October 2018, the Interior's inspector general referred the investigation to the Department of Justice.[11][12] On December 15, 2018, Trump announced that Zinke would leave his post as of January 2, 2019,[13][14] to be replaced by his deputy, David Bernhardt.[15] The Inspector General's report concluded that Zinke had repeatedly violated ethical rules and then lied to investigators.[16][17] His tenure as the interior secretary was plagued by scandals, including his insistence that special flagpoles be erected so that flags could be raised or lowered when he was in residence, spending over $200,000 of taxpayer money to do so.[18]
Early life and education[edit]
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.[19][20] He was an Eagle Scout.[21] He was a star athlete at Whitefish High School and accepted a football scholarship to the University of Oregon in Eugene; recruited as an outside linebacker, he switched to offense and was an undersized starting center for the Oregon Ducks in the Pac-10 under head coach Rich Brooks.[22][23] Zinke earned a bachelor of science degree in geology in 1984 and graduated with honors.[24][25] He intended to pursue a career in underwater geology.[25] Despite never working as a geologist, Zinke publicly calls himself a geologist.[25][26] He earned a master's degree in business administration from National University in 1993 and a Master of Science degree in global leadership from the University of San Diego in 2003.[24]
Business ventures[edit]
In 2005, Zinke formed Continental Divide International, a property management and business development consulting company. His family members are officers of the company. In 2009, Zinke formed the consulting company On Point Montana. He served on the board of the oil pipeline company QS Energy (formerly Save the World Air) from 2012 to 2015. In November 2014, Zinke announced that he would pass Continental Divide to his family while remaining in an advisory role.[35]
Political career[edit]
Montana Senate (2009–2013)[edit]
Zinke was elected to the Montana Senate in 2008, serving from 2009 to 2013, representing the city of Whitefish. While serving in the State Senate, he "was widely seen as a moderate Republican" but drifted to the right.[36] Zinke was selected as chair of the Senate Education Committee and promoted technology in the classroom, rural access to education and local control over schools.[37] He also served on the Senate Finance and Claims Committee.[38] As a state senator, Zinke was also a member of the SEMA-supported State Automotive Enthusiast and Leadership Caucus, a bipartisan group of state lawmakers sharing an appreciation for automobiles.[39][40]
Personal life[edit]
Zinke married Lolita Hand on August 8, 1992. Both had been married before; Hand was a widow with a young daughter.[150] He and Hand also have two children together.[151]
Zinke splits his time among Washington, D.C.; Whitefish, Montana, his hometown; and Santa Barbara, California, his wife's hometown.[151] Politico reported that he no longer resides at his Whitefish house and spends more time in Santa Barbara.[152] Zinke is Missouri Synod Lutheran.[153][154]