Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke is considering running for Speaker of the House. Zinke's spokesperson sent the following statement to MTPR News:
"I’m looking at it. The Speaker is about leadership and not policy and we’re at a point in our nation’s history where we’ve had a Speaker resign, we’ve had a presumptive Speaker resign, and quite frankly we’re facing what I think is a leadership crisis. In our country’s history, there have been other freshmen Speakers—though it has been a long time.
"But it isn’t about policies. It’s about getting the Congress to do their duty: And that’s the defend the principles that made this country strong and defending the Constitution. I’ve taken an oath to defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic. It’s time to rise and put our country first, and yourself second. It’s about leadership.
"We’re looking at it. Our phones are ringing off the hook because I think America wants something different. I haven’t decided, but what I have decided is that Congress better do our duty and defend our values of this country.
"I’m listening—I’m on a bus tour around beautiful Montana, That’s the heartbeat of America right there. Americans are frustrated and they look at their government and it’s not doing what we should be doing. They want a better future and they want America to be strong and prosperous."