UPDATE - 5:00 p.m. December 13 - CNN is reporting that Ryan Zinke has accepted the cabinet post as U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

KGVO News has reached out to Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke's office for more information as to President-elect Donald Trump offering the just re-elected Zinke the cabinet post of Secretary of the Interior.

News organizations such as Politico, the Washington Post and Rueters have all reported that Zinke has been offered the post, but we have no confirmation that he has officially accepted.

Senator Steve Daines said on Tuesday that Zinke would make an excellent Secretary of the Interior.

U.S. Senator Steve Daines today released the following statement on U.S. Representative Ryan Zinke, President-elect Donald J. Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Department of Interior:

“Ryan Zinke protected us abroad and in combat and I know he will do the same for our treasured public lands as Secretary of the Interior,” Daines stated. “In Congress, I’ve seen Ryan stand up and fight to protect our way of life.  As a westerner, Ryan understands the challenges of having the federal government as your largest neighbor and I couldn't think of a better fit for Secretary of the Interior.”

According to constitutional scholar Rob Natelson with the Independence Institute, If Zinke accepts the position, the U.S. Constitution states that a special election would have to be held to replace him in Congress.

Interestingly, it was also announced today that former campaign spokesman for Greg Gianforte, Aaron Flint, was just named statewide director for Zinke's congressional office in Billings.

 

 

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