The third hat is in the ring for the Republican nomination for the U.S. House, thrown there yesterday by former State Senator Ryan Zinke of Whitefish. His Stetson joins those of Glendive’s Matt Rosendale, who threw his in last week, and Billings’ Corey Stapleton, whose hat has been there so long it’s turning to stone.
Incumbent Rep. Steve Daines still has not announced his intentions for 2014, and according to the Flathead Beacon won’t until next year, but it’s now certain he’ll run for the U.S. Senate and therefore quietly flashed a green light at Zinke, Rosendale, and any other Republican who prefers the House near the Potomac to a home on the range.
Butte born John Lewis announced on 1 October that he’s running for the Democratic nomination for the House.
The best summary of Zinke’s announcement is Don Pogreba’s at Intelligent Discontent. He begins, “In a speech so cliché-laden that Peggy Noonan is considering suing, to a crowd almost numbering dozens, Ryan Zinke announced his candidacy for the US House today in Billings.”
I have some advice for Zinke: