Former US Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) is endorsing US House candidate Ryan Zinke, a former commander at SEAL Team 6 and former state senator.
I spoke with Sen. Burns Tuesday morning. Here’s what he had to say:
BURNS: “He hasn’t given up on our country. He’s a dedicated man, and he can raise money. And I think everywhere he goes he makes friends. And that’s good, we need somebody like that. And the Republicans gotta come behind somebody…so I just picked him out as probably having the best chances to win in November.”
Click below to listen:
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Burns then joked that if anyone takes his words as an endorsement “it will probably hurt him.” He also added that he endorsed Steve Daines early on in the race in 2012, and “he’s making a great congressman and I think he’ll make a great senator too.”
FULL PRESS RELEASE FROM ZINKE CAMPAIGN
Former U.S. Senator Conrad Burns endorses Ryan Zinke
“Ryan Zinke is a man of honor and has a proven track record of distinguished military and public service,” said Senator Burns. “I am proud to support him in his candidacy for the U.S. House of Representatives.”
Conrad Burns, a former three-term U.S. Senator from Billings, MT, served as an enlisted member of the Marine Corps, where he was stationed in Japan and Korea. He later founded the Northern Agricultural Network in Montana before returning to public service as a county commissioner and U.S. Senator.
Ryan Zinke is a third-generation Montanan with deep family roots in all parts of the state. Prior to being elected to the Montana State Senate, he served for twenty-three years in the U.S. Navy, was a commander with SEAL Team Six, and was awarded two Bronze Stars for active combat duty.
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Comments
Jim Morrell
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 3:43 PM
Glad to see Conrad Burns has endorsed Ryan Zinke. He is definitely the man that I would like to see in the US House. We need men of honor to act as our representatives not career politicians trying to feather their own nests. Jim Morrell, Whitefish, MT
Gloria Roark
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 3:48 PM
It saddens me that Conrad Burns is endorsing Ryan Zinke. Zinke did not serve Montana well in the Legislature and received an “F” for his poor voting record. Further, he is running his campaign with PAC money that needs to be investigated. As an American, I am thankful for his service in the Military. John McCain (BIG RINO) served in the Military. It is my opinion that most Veterans are modest when it comes to their service, and don’t use their previous experiences for self-serving agendas.
Sorry, Conrad, you have disappointed me and many others.
Rick Coyle
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 4:56 PM
Gloria…..Please tell me again all the things Max has done for us….Obamacare? And the things Tester has done? Neither of them deserve the distinction of having the word SENATOR in front of them……in my opinion!
Al Smith
Tuesday, February 18, 2014 5:34 PM
Gloria, having reviewed Ryan Zinke’s voting record on Vote Smart, I’d be pleased to know the source you used for the grade of “F” you say he earned. I researched and could not find a grade of “F” anywhere…just sayin!
He did form a PAC but, as far as I know, he is no longer associated with it.
It is heartening to know you appreciate his military service. His service and those of millions of other veterans have secured our liberties for over two hundred and thirty some years with their dedication and their blood.
We all owe them a debt of gratitude for their service.
So then,if one does not use prior experiences in their resume’, on what do we base our votes when it comes to electing the candidates for public office? I suppose we could just go into the voting booth blind as many American’s did twice when electing our current president. The result is the mess we have now!
It appears you compare McCain to Zinke to insinuate Ryan is a RINO. It would be illuminating if you would explain how this conclusion was arrived at and believe me, I’m not arguing your opinion of Senator McCain! I do want to know.
Thank you.
https://votesmart.org/candidate/104073/ryan-zinke
Gloria Roark
Wednesday, February 19, 2014 5:08 PM
I got my report card on Zinke from the Mt. Freedom Campaign 2011 Report Card. I am involved in helping Veterans, and I would never disparage Zinke’s Military Record. My husband is a Veteran, too. My mention of McCain was to show that we paid this man homage for years, and he has proven that he is a Progressive. McCain always touted his career. Zinke is no longer part of that PAC, however, supposedly using the money from that PAC in his campaign. That needs to be explained. We must elect leaders that have a proven knowledge of all the issues who will solve the problems that we are facing here in Mt. and our Nation. Elections are not popularity contests. Again, I emphasize that I appreciate Zinke’s service, but feel he is ill suited to represent Montana in Washington D.C.