1st District Congressional candidate Ryan Zinke introduced the former President of the United States Donald Trump to endorse him late Monday evening.

“I remember when President Trump was President, we had two dollar gas, the border was secure, and he was fighting the swamp,” began Zinke. “There isn't any better defender of American freedoms than President Donald J. Trump. And it's my honor to introduce the 45th president United States, Donald J. Trump, sir.”

Trump began by emphasizing the importance of the upcoming Congressional election.

“I just want to talk to you for a few minutes about a critical primary election taking place in your state on Tuesday, June 7, that's coming up right around the corner and absentee voting is already underway,” began President Trump. “The big day is June 7, and it's very important. I'd like to ask each of you to get out and vote for Ryan. He's a great friend of mine. He's a great person with a great family, great everything. It’s Montana's first Congressional district, as everyone knows, and he was my interior secretary, as you know, and he did an incredible job in terms of energy dominance and also energy independence, and we actually became dominant and increased our federal energy revenues.”

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President Trump praised Zinke specifically for his work as Interior Secretary.

“He opened up acreage for the production of energy and all sorts of other things, including for people's use,” said Trump. “Together, we built our national parks, forest infrastructure, and expanded access to public lands and we opened up millions and millions of acres for hunting and fishing. It was incredible what we did in a reasonably short period of time.”

The former president wrapped up with a glowing endorsement of Ryan Zinke.

“Ryan has my complete and total endorsement,” he said. “With his help and with everybody's help, this country will be turned around. We're going to get rid of crazy Nancy Pelosi’s political career once and for all. I just want to again remind you the absentee voting has already started so you could do that, but Election Day is June 7. I'll be out to see you. I love that part of the world and I love your state, and please vote for Ryan Zinke, and we'll see you all very soon.”

Zinke is one of five primary candidates for the Republican nomination for the new 1st District Congressional seat, along with Dr. Al Olszewski, Mary Todd, Mitch Heuer and Matt Jette.

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