Listen: Western district candidate forum with Zinke, Tranel and Lamb

Montana Public Radio

Published September 26, 2022 at 5:52 PM MDT

Ryan Zinke, John Lamb and Monica Tranel, candidates for Montana's western congressional seat, on stage at a forum in Butte, MT on September 29, 2022.

The western district House candidates met for a forum in Butte on September 29 sponsored by Lee Newspapers and Montana Public Radio. This was the second time Republican Ryan Zinke, Democrat Monica Tranel and Libertarian John Lamb have met on stage.

Tranel is a longtime Montana energy attorney and former Olympic rower who grew up in eastern Montana. She's seeking her first elected position.

Zinke, a Navy Seal from Whitefish, has represented Montana before in Congress, was a state senator for one term and also U.S. Secretary of the Interior for two years under former President Donald Trump.

John Lamb, the Libertarian candidate in the race, is owner of a greenhouse and recycling business in the Gallatin Valley who previously ran unsuccessfully for the state Senate.

John Lamb, Ryan Zinke and Monica Tranel at a U.S. Congress candidate forum in Missoula, August 8, 2022.

U.S. House candidates lay out their visions during Missoula forum

The three candidates for Montana’s new western congressional district squared off for the first time Monday in a public forum hosted in Missoula. Tensions were high between Republican Ryan Zinke and Democrat Monica Tranel.

Campaign Beat

Campaign Beat is Montana Public Radio's weekly political analysis program. It's hosted by Sally Mauk and features Lee Newspapers State News Bureau Chief Holly Michels and Rob Saldin of the University of Montana’s Mansfield Center and Political Science Department.