Zinke wins re-election and defeats Tranel again

WHITEFISH – Voters re-elected Republican U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke to the U.S. House on Tuesday as he once again defeated challenger Monica Tranel for Montana's Western District seat.

The Associated Press called the race early Wednesday morning.

Zinke said he looks forward to working with President Donald Trump and others to make gas and groceries affordable again.

“Montanans are suffering because of failed Democratic policies that have led to high inflation, low labor force participation and high interest rates,” Zinke said in a statement. “Montana has made it clear that enough is enough.”

Nearly 100 people joined the Republican congressman and basked in the red, white and blue balloons as they admired the dining room at Logan's Grill. Signs with slogans such as “Make America Great Again, Again!”, “Send the SEALs” and “Warriors for Zinke” hung on the walls, as well as banners supporting Republican U.S. Senate candidate Tim Sheehy and former President Donald Trump.

“We feel good,” Zinke told the crowd just before midnight. “We are exceeding what we should.”

Zinke's team said Tuesday before polls closed that internal polls showed Zinke leading Tranel beyond the margin of error.

“As a military commander, I didn’t care whether you were a Republican or a Democrat,” he said before all the votes were counted. “I don’t care now, but I do care if you love this country.”

Among those in attendance Tuesday night were Kalispell Mayor Mark Johnson, county commissioners Brad Abell and Randy Brodehl and state Rep. Courtenay Sprunger. Zinke, dressed in a suit and black cowboy hat, walked in just before 7:30 p.m

Attendees began arriving at 7 p.m., many wearing a wide variety of Zinke or Trump merchandise.

“Fight. Fight. Fight.” Zinke posted on the social media platform X on Tuesday morning. “Tonight we are taking our country back.”

Zinke, of Whitefish, was first elected to Congress in 2014. A retired US Navy SEAL, like Sheehy, he served as Secretary of the Interior under the Trump administration. He resigned from his post after a federal investigation into reports that he had abused his office and failed to meet ethical obligations.

After being re-elected to the House of Representatives in 2022, Zinke joined the House Budget Committee.

This is Tranel's second congressional campaign. Originally from eastern Montana, Tranel is a former Olympic rower and attorney. Tranel spent election night at the Union Club in Missoula.

“People are ready for change. Montana deserves representation that will listen to you. The polling stations are open until 8 p.m. – be sure to vote!” Tranel posted on X on Tuesday.

Reporter Kate Heston can be reached at [email protected] or 758-4459.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.