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Former Trump Cabinet Secretary Ryan Zinke Won't Seek Reelection
Zinke cites health concerns in decision to not run for a fifth term in the U.S. House.
Published on Mar. 2, 2026
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Ryan Zinke, a Montana Republican who served as interior secretary during President Donald Trump's first administration, announced he will not seek reelection to a fifth term in the U.S. House. Zinke, a former Navy SEAL, said he has undergone multiple surgeries in recent years and faces more medical procedures from injuries sustained during his military service, though his condition is not life-threatening.
Why it matters
Zinke's decision gives Democrats an outside chance to pick up a House seat in a state that has trended heavily Republican in recent years. His departure also marks the end of a political career that included a stint as interior secretary and several terms in Congress.
The details
After four years in the Montana Legislature, Zinke was first elected to the U.S. House in 2014. He was appointed as Trump's interior secretary in 2017 but resigned in 2018 amid numerous ethics investigations. Zinke's political career bounced back in 2022 when he narrowly won in a newly created congressional district in western Montana, and he won again in 2024 by a comfortable margin.
- Zinke was elected to the U.S. House in 2014.
- Zinke served as interior secretary from 2017 to 2018.
- Zinke was elected to the U.S. House again in 2022 and 2024.
The players
Ryan Zinke
A Montana Republican who served as interior secretary during President Donald Trump's first administration and has represented Montana's at-large congressional district since 2014.
What’s next
Zinke's decision not to run for reelection leaves the congressional seat open, setting up a potentially competitive race between the Republican and Democratic parties in the 2026 election.
The takeaway
Zinke's departure from Congress marks the end of a political career that included a high-profile role in the Trump administration, but his health concerns have led him to step away from elected office.
