Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke of Montana wins re-election in the state's 1st Congressional District

Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., will win reelection in Montana's 1st Congressional District, defeating Democratic candidate Monica Tranel, The Associated Press reports.

With 95% of votes reported Wednesday morning, Zinke was in the lead with 52% of the vote, compared to 45% for Tranel, who is on track to extend his lead in 2022.

Zinke, a former Navy SEAL, is a fifth-generation Montanan who served 23 years in the military before entering politics to fulfill another mission: “To uphold the Constitution and do what's right for Montana and America.” .

Zinke was, among other things, Minister of the Interior former President Donald Trump for several years before launching a successful bid for Montana's redrawn district in the 2022 midterm elections.

MONTANA SENATE RACE THAT COULD DETERMINE THE MAJORITY IF 'INTENSIVE GAMES' SEE: NRSC CHAIR

Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-MT) and his wife Lolita Zinke take the stage to speak during a rally for Republican presidential candidate, former President Donald Trump, at Montana State University's Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on August 9, 2024, Bozeman, Montana. (Michael Ciaglo)

The race was rated Lean Republican in the Fox News Power Rankings.

FILE – Democratic candidate Monica Tranel campaigned in Bozeman, Montana in 2022. (William Campbell/Getty Images)

Rep. Ryan Zinke, a Republican from Montana, arrives for a House Republican caucus meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, Friday, October 13, 2023. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

The Democratic candidate in the race, Tranel, worked as a lawyer, previously competed in two Olympics and won gold at the world championships for the U.S. women's rowing team.

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The race was a rematch of the 2022 midterms, in which Zinke defeated Tranel 49% to 46% in the race for the Big Sky State seat.