Ryan Zinke

**Ryan Keith Zinke** (born November 1, 1961) is an American politician. He is member of the Republican Party. He is the member of the United States House of Representatives for Montana's 1st congressional district since 2023. He was the 52nd United States Secretary of the Interior from 2017 to 2019.

Zinke served as a member of the Montana State Senate, representing Senate District 2 from 2009 to 2011. He was the Republican congressman for Montana's at-large congressional district having won in the 2014 election. He resigned as a U.S. representative on March 1, 2017.

On December 15, 2018, President Donald Trump announced that Zinke would leave the position as Interior Secretary by the end of 2018. He left the office on January 2, 2019.

## Early life

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.

Zinke earned a B.S. in geology in 1984 at the University of Oregon. Zinke later earned an M.B.A. from National University in 1993 and an M.S. in global leadership from the University of San Diego in 2003.

## United States representative (2015–2017)

In Congress, Zinke has supported the deployment of U.S. ground troops to combat ISIL, "abandoning" the Affordable Care Act, and cutting regulations. He supported a Republican effort to repeal the estate tax.

Zinke "frequently votes against environmentalists on issues ranging from coal extraction to oil and gas drilling" and received a 3 percent rating from the League of Conservation Voters.

## United States Secretary of the Interior (2017–2019)

On December 13, 2016, President-elect Donald Trump picked Zinke for the position of United States Secretary of the Interior. Zinke was confirmed on March 1, 2017, becoming the first Navy SEAL to occupy a Cabinet position.

As Secretary, Zinke opened more federal lands for oil, gas and mineral exploration and extraction. Zinke's spendings as Secretary of the Interior, which included expensive flights, raised ethical questions and controversy, and were investigated by the Interior Department’s Office of Inspector General. On October 30, 2018, the investigation into Zinke was referred to the Justice Department by Interior's Inspector General.

Trump announced on December 15, 2018, that Zinke would leave his post by the end of 2018. He was replaced by his deputy David Bernhardt.

## United States representative (since 2023)

On April 29, 2021 it was reported that Zinke had filed to run for Montana's newly reformed 2nd congressional district. He was elected to the U.S. House in November 2022.

## Personal life

Zinke has been married to Lolita Hand. They have three children. Zinke is Lutheran.

## Other websites

- Official U.S. House website
- Campaign website

## Infobox (officeholder)

- **name**: Ryan Zinke
- **image**: Rep. Ryan Zinke official photo, 118th Congress.jpg
- **office**: Member of the
United States House of Representatives, U.S. House of Representatives
from Montana
- **term start1**: January 3, 2023
- **predecessor1**: _Constituency re-established_
- **term start2**: January 3, 2015
- **term end2**: March 1, 2017
- **predecessor2**: Steve Daines
- **successor2**: Greg Gianforte
- **office3**: 52nd United States Secretary of the Interior
- **president3**: Donald Trump
- **deputy3**: David Bernhardt
- **term start3**: March 1, 2017
- **term end3**: January 2, 2019
- **predecessor3**: Sally Jewell
- **successor3**: David Bernhardt
- **state senate4**: Montana
- **district4**: 2nd
- **term start4**: January 3, 2009
- **term end4**: January 3, 2013
- **predecessor4**: Dan Weinberg
- **successor4**: Dee L. Brown
- **birth name**: Ryan Keith Zinke
- **birth place**: Bozeman, Montana, Bozeman, Montana, U.S.
- **party**: Republican Party (United States), Republican
- **children**: 3
- **education**: University of Oregon (Bachelor of Science, BS)
National University (California), National University (Master of Business Administration, MBA)
University of San Diego (Master of Science, MS)
- **signature**: Ryan Zinke's signature.jpg
- **serviceyears**: 1986–2008
- **rank**:  Commander (United States)#Naval rank, Commander
- **unit**:  SEAL Team Six
SEAL Team One
NSWU-2
Naval Special Warfare Center
- **mawards**:  Bronze Star Medal, Bronze Star (2)
 Defense Meritorious Service Medal (2)
 Meritorious Service Medal (United States), Meritorious Service Medal (4)
 Joint Service Commendation Medal (2)
 Army Commendation Medal