Ryan Zinke AWOL

by Archie Thomas, Corvallis

An estimated 50 plus residents were present at a recent (1/26/26) County Commissioners’ meeting intending to address Ryan Zinke’s delegation listed on agenda. Due to an earlier commitment Chairman Huls had to leave and adjourned the meeting. Public comments were stopped after only 3 or 4 public statements. Jeff Burrows was not present. Commissioner Chilcott continued (the now adjourned meeting as a quorum of the commissioners was not present) in a discussion with the 5 member Zinke delegation. Members of the public listened as the discussion was completed in less than 20 minutes. The Zinke delegation stood up and stated they had no time for further public comment.

As I arrived at the meeting I observed a small group of what I thought were local residents talking in the hall by the entrance door to the commissioners meeting room. As I listened to the public comments I didn’t see the Zinke delegation in the room. At about that moment someone in the crowd asked where is Zinke’s delegation? Commissioner Chilcott said they are “here” waving at the back of the room without definition. They had not introduced themselves in the meeting but rather stood mostly to the hall. Finally a young man by the door sort of gave a sheepish nod that he was part of the Zinke delegation. I gotta tell you, I got the feeling that the Congressional delegation would rather be wallpaper at that moment than listen to their constituents’ comments. I’ll admit I’m not a big Zinke fan nor a poet but this poem seemed to fit the moment.

A Ryan Zinke AWOL moment

ABSENT WITHOUT LEAVE, unavailable to serve

Where’s Ryan?

Ryan is AWOL on a foreign trip similar to the House of Representatives which is still or is it again in recess 

Present for Ryan—Ravalli County voters in last election

Ryan AWOL from a town hall meeting never held in Ravalli County

Ryan present in silent support of ICE killings in Minneapolis  

Ryan AWOL voting against the Infrastructure Bill

Ryan present in Ravalli County boasting credit for Ricketts Road rebuild funds tho rebuild not possible without passage of Infrastructure Bill

Ryan AWOL for 30 of my neighbors as they were/are laid off due to DOGE at RML

Ryan AWOL for 20 of my neighbors as they were/are laid off due to DOGE at the Forest service

Ryan present for Montanan’s hospitals

Ryan AWOL for Montanans needing healthcare insurance to use those same hospitals

Ryan present for undocumented waste, fraud and abuse

Ryan present for election year epiphany letter demanding Critical Minerals communicate with the county commissioners on Sheep Creek mine

Ryan AWOL when supporting oil/gas drilling, cancelling local prior agreement, in Bears Ears National Monument in Utah

Ryan AWOL promoting mining at the edge of Boundary Waters Wilderness in Minnesota recently during a House of Representatives speech

Ryan AWOL when supporting the hollowing out of the local Forest Service

Ryan AWOL when supporting the understaffing of the EPA required for proper review of Sheep Creek mine.

Ryan 2025 Results: federal spending increase 4.5%, Federal debt increase $2.3 trillion 

Ryan being AWOL AND NOT LISTENING IS NOT AN EXCUSE WHEN LOSS OF LOCAL EMPLOYMENT, HEALTHCARE, WATER QUALITY, AND LOSS OF COMMUNITY VALUES IS YOUR CONSTITUENTS’ REALITY.