Incumbent Republican Ryan Zinke won the primary to represent Montana’s western congressional district, setting up a head-to-head contest with Democrat Monica Tranel, according to early reports.
Less than an hour after polls closed, the Associated Press called the primary for Zinke over GOP challenger Mary Todd, a church leader. While most votes are still being counted, Zinke received 75 percent of the vote to Todd’s 25 percent.
Tranel, an Olympic rower and Missoula attorney, ran an aggressive campaign against Zink in 2022. However, Zink won the general election by four points, with the Libertarian also on the ballot.
Democrats have always hoped they could make inroads in the West.
Zinke, however, has been a formidable opponent. The former US Navy SEAL was also elected by the US House in 2014 and 2016.
Zinke was chosen as Interior Secretary in former President Donald Trump’s administration and was confirmed to the post in March 2017.
In early 2019, he resigned amid ethics investigations, which he described as politically motivated.
Zinke defeated four primary challengers in 2022, despite federal investigations into his conduct.
Ultimately, he defeated Tranel and Libertarian John Lamb in the general election, winning with 50% of the vote. Tranel received 46% of the vote, and Lamb received 4%.Tranel won this year’s primary.