Rep. Ryan Zinke

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R Montana, 1st (2015-2017), 1st (2023-) In Office

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Biographical

Full Name: Ryan Keith Zinke
Gender: Male
Pronunciation: RY-uhn ZINK-ee
Date of Birth: Nov. 1, 1961 (age: 62)
Place of Birth: Bozeman, Mont.
Religion: Lutheran
Hometown: Whitefish, Mont.
Place of Residence: Whitefish, Mont.
Occupation: Navy SEAL

Wikipedia

Official biography

Family:

Married: Lolita "Lola" Hand Zinke, Aug. 8, 1992

2 children: Wolfgang, Konrad

1 stepchild: Jennifer

Previous relationship Divorced

Biography:

Congressman Ryan Zinke (MT-00) serves the people of Montana as their sole Representative in the United States House. Ryan is a fifth generation Montanan, former state senator, and a 23-year U.S. Navy SEAL veteran. In 2014, Ryan became the first Navy SEAL elected to the House. He serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Natural Resources. Ryan is a Constitutional conservative who believes in the vision the forefathers laid out which separates powers between the three branches and ensures the sovereignty of our states. As a Navy SEAL, State Senator and now a Member of Congress, Ryan swore an oath to defend the Constitution. His decisions are based on upholding the Constitution and doing what is right for Montan a and America.

Ryan’s distinguished military career began in 1985 when he graduated from Officer Candidate School and attended SEAL training (class 136). He was first assigned to SEAL Team ONE in Coronado, CA, then was later selected to SEAL Team SIX where he was a Team Leader, Ground Force Commander, Task Force Commander and Current Operations Officer in support of National Command Authority missions.

In Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, Ryan was assigned as Deputy and acting Commander, Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula where he led a force of over 3,500 Special Operations personnel in Iraq. In 2006 he was awarded two Bronze Stars.

Throughout his career, Ryan also served as the Special Operations Officer in Europe, and served as the SEAL Commander of Joint Task Force TWO in support of Special Operations missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Kosovo. Ryan’s final Naval assignment was establishing the Naval Special Warfare Advanced Training Command where he served as “Dean” of the Naval Special Warfare graduate school with a staff of over 250 educators, which provided over 43 college level courses to over 2500 students annually at 15 different locations worldwide. He retired from active duty 2008 after serving 23 years as a US Navy SEAL.

In 2008, Ryan was elected to the Montana State Senate, where he chaired the Senate Education Committee and served on the Senate Finance and Claims Committee. As a State Senator he was a leading advocate for strong family values, restoring individual and economic freedoms, energy independence, and helping veterans receive proper care. He was a proud recipient of numerous awards from the Montana Chamber of Commerce and the Rural School Association.

Ryan is a fifth generation Montanan with deep family roots in Bozeman, Glasgow, Glendive, Whitefish, and Richey. He was a multiple sport, All-State standout, and is a Whitefish High School Football Hall of Fame inductee. Ryan attended the University of Oregon on an athletic scholarship and graduated with a B.S. in Geology. As a four-year letterman, he received numerous awards to include All-Pacific TEN honors, the Pacific TEN Medal, the University Sahlstrom Award, and the prestigious Emerald Cup for academic, athletic, and leadership excellence. In 1996 and again in 1997, Ryan was selected for Most Outstanding Young Men in America honors. He also holds a Masters in Business Finance and a Masters in Global Leadership from the University of San Diego. Ryan is married to the former Lolita Hand. They have three children: two boys, Wolfgang and Konrad, and a daughter Jennifer, who is a former U.S. Navy Diver and whose husband is a Navy SEAL. See more >>

Miscellaneous Links:

Ballotpedia

GovTrack

Project VoteSmart

Campaign Links:

Website, campaign

X (Twitter), campaign

Instagram, campaign

Facebook, campaign

YouTube, campaign

Social Networking:

LinkedIn

X (Twitter), official

Instagram, official

Official Links:

Website, official

Press Releases

Education

University of San Diego - MS, global leadership (2004)
National University School of Business and Economics - MBA, finance (1991)
University of Oregon - BS, geology (1980-1984)

Activities and notes: All-Pacific TEN Honors; Pacific TEN Medal; University Sahlstrom Award; Emerald Cup
Whitefish (Mont.) High School - Diploma

Activities and notes: Football team

Office History

Congressional Offices:

U.S. House of Representatives (Jan. 3, 2023-) In Office

Member, 1st Congressional District of Montana
U.S. House of Representatives (Jan. 6, 2015-March 1, 2017) Resigned

Member, 1st Congressional District of Montana

State Legislature Offices:

Montana Senate (Jan. 2009-Jan. 2013)

R Senator, District 2

Election Results

2017 (Nov. 8, 2016 election)

1st Congressional District of Montana

Ryan Keith Zinke, 56.19%
Republican

Denise Juneau, 40.55%
Democrat

Rick Breckenridge, 3.26%
Libertarian
2015 (Nov. 4, 2014 election)

1st Congressional District of Montana

Ryan Keith Zinke, 55.41%
Republican

John Lewis, 40.41%
Democrat

Mike Fellows, 4.19%
Libertarian

Employment History

Turnberry Solutions LLC (Feb. 2019-April 2021)

Senior Adviser
U.S. Department of the Interior (March 2017-Jan. 2019)

Secretary
At-Large Congressional District of Montana (2014)

Congressional Candidate
Continental Divide International (Feb. 2008-2014)

Chief Executive Officer

Associated Organizations

Own leadership PAC:

Supporting Electing American Leaders

Election campaign:

Zinke for Congress (Montana)

Membership:

National Rifle Association
Flathead Trout Unlimited
Nature Conservancy (1988-)
UDT/SEAL Association (1985-)

Board membership:

Montana Firearms Institute
Director
Great Northern Veterans Peace Park (2008-)
Founder/President

Awards

Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)
Legislator Award (International Association of Drilling Contractors) (Sept. 2023)
Manufacturing Legislative Excellence Award (National Association of Manufacturers) (Oct. 2016)
Defender of Housing (National Association of Home Builders) (Sept. 2016)
Spirit of Enterprise Award (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) (June 29, 2016)
Hero of Main Street (National Retail Federation) (July 2015)

Military History

U.S. Navy (1985-2008)

Commander

Navy SEAL

Awards and Honors:

Defense Meritorious Service Medal x2
Bronze Star Medal x2 (2006)
Joint Service Commendation Medal x2 (1997)
Navy Commendation Medal (1996)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (1996)
Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (1995)
Navy Commendation Medal (1995)
Navy Achievement Medal (1990)
Navy Achievement Medal (1989)

Activities and Interests

Hobbies: hiking, fishing, hunting

Publications

American Commander: Serving a Country Worth Fighting For and Training the Brave Soldiers Who Lead the Way (2016)

Official Signature

Contact Information

Email, member official contact form

Office Addresses:

Main Office:

Address:	512 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515-2601
Phone:	202-225-5628

View Larger Map

» District Offices

Privately Financed Travel

3 trips taken between 2015 - 2016 costing $23,017

See map of trips

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

» see more

Personal Financial Disclosures

Disclosures as a member:

Annual: 2016, 2016 (Amendment)
Election Candidate: 2022, 2022, 2021, 2021, 2014
Candidacy Extension: 2013
Extension Letter: 2013
New Hire: 2023, 2015, 2015 (Amendment)
Termination: 2017
» see more

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Turnover Index: 0.09
(House Average: 0.25)
» See more

Staff Salary Rate:

Office Median Annual Salary: $71,698.46
» See more

Staff Salaries Paid:

» See full staffer list

» view all salaries

Committees

House Appropriations Committee Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee

House Appropriations Committee Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Subcommittee

House Appropriations Committee Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee

House Science, Space and Technology Committee

House Science, Space and Technology Committee Environment Subcommittee

Caucuses

Fun Fact

Ryan Zinke became the first Navy SEAL ever elected to Congress.

Caught Our Eye

Scheduler to Rep. Zinke knows how to handle controversies

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on Jan. 17, 2023
"I'll never get a job anywhere else," Ashley Bianco once lamented to Megyn Kelly in an interview. But the former network-television producer has since landed on her feet, now working as a key member of Rep. Ryan Zinke's (R-Mont.) team. read more
Endangered Species Act foe takes top Interior post

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on July 6, 2017
A Capitol Hill staffer with a long career of drawing ire from environmentalists has taken a new top job in the Department of the Interior. read more
Ex-Pelosi aide leaves Interior for House Rules Committee

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on March 14, 2017
Upon ex-Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.)'s confirmation as secretary of the Interior, Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) deputy floor director has returned to the Hill from a two-year stint with the department. read more
House hands staffers biggest bonuses since 2010

Posted by Keturah Hetrick on March 6, 2017
Led by Republicans, representatives ended 2016 by handing staffers their highest fourth-quarter bonuses since 2010. read more

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In the News

Rep. Ryan Zinke

Biographical

Family:

Biography:

Miscellaneous Links:

Campaign Links:

Social Networking:

Official Links:

Press Releases

Education

Office History

Election Results

2017 (Nov. 8, 2016 election)

2015 (Nov. 4, 2014 election)

Employment History

Associated Organizations

Awards

Military History

Awards and Honors:

Activities and Interests

Publications

Official Signature

Contact Information

Privately Financed Travel

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

Personal Financial Disclosures

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Staff Salary Rate:

Staff Salaries Paid:

Committees

Caucuses

Fun Fact

Caught Our Eye