Zinke announces he won't seek reelection

Representative Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), who served as Interior Secretary during President Trump's first term, announced Monday that he will not seek reelection to Congress this November, citing multiple surgeries he has undergone since returning to Montana's congressional seat in January 2023. The three-term congressman revealed his decision in a letter to constituents, explaining that his health challenges have influenced his choice not to pursue another term in the House of Representatives. Zinke's departure marks another shift in Montana's political landscape as the state prepares for competitive elections in 2024. The former Navy SEAL first entered Congress in 2015, left to join Trump's cabinet as Interior Secretary from 2017 to 2019, and then returned to Congress in 2023 after a brief hiatus. His announcement comes amid ongoing questions about his political future following his return to Washington, with Montana's congressional races expected to be closely watched in the upcoming election cycle.