Zinke’s non response

by Doug Hatchimonji, Hamilton

“Zinke’s campaign did not respond to this question.” – Ravalli Republic (9/21/24)

Four of five questions recently asked by the Ravalli Republic about housing affordability – “an issue that was already top-of-mind for everyone living here” (Rav. Rep. 9/19/24) – went completely unanswered by Ryan Zinke, the Republican candidate for Congress, the newspaper reporting four times: “Zinke’s campaign did not respond to this question.” 

Monica Tranel, the Democratic candidate for the current congressional seat held by Mr. Zinke, comprehensively answered all five questions about housing affordability. 

The five questions and Monica Tranel’s answers were published in the September 21, 2024 edition of the Ravalli Republic. The newspaper asked: (1) “How does housing rank with voters you’ve spoken with?”; (2) “How involved should the federal government be in resolving housing affordability and availability?”; (3) What specific legislation would you support to address the lack of housing?”; (4) “Are short-term rentals part of the problem?”; and (5) the newspaper asked about their support or criticism of the housing proposals of the two presidential candidates. 

Monica Tranel’s answers to the Republic’s questions described her three-part housing plan focused on “assessment”, “accountability” and “affordability”, identified laws and programs that provide assistance and funding for Montana homebuyers, homeowners, nonprofits and renters, and said: “I support measures that align with what will work to address the housing issue in Montana.”  

And Mr. Zinke? Except for defending Mr. Zinke’s operation of short-term rentals in Whitefish, as to four of five questions, “Zinke’s campaign did not respond to this question.” Mr. Zinke failed to even offer simple support for any proposal that may help Montanans.  

What does it mean when a congressional candidate chooses not to answer questions put to him on a “top-of-mind” issue facing Montana? Montana voters may infer one of three reasons for not answering. Mr. Zinke has no answers to the housing affordability crisis. Or, Mr. Zinke believes he has no obligation to tell voters his answers. Or, Mr. Zinke simply does not think housing affordability is an issue important enough to waste his time thinking about, let alone proposing answers.  

Whatever the reason, Mr. Zinke’s failure to respond to the Republic’s questions means one thing – he is not qualified to represent the citizens of Montana and does not deserve your vote. 

The headline to the September 21, 2024 Ravalli Republic article was inaccurate: “Tranel, Zinke discuss housing.” Monica Tranel discussed housing, Mr. Zinke “did not respond.”  

In November, Western Montana voters have a clear choice, on the one hand, Monica Tranel – a native of rural Montana who has answers and plans to address Montana’s affordable housing crisis – and on the other hand, Mr. Zinke – who cannot or will not “respond to this question.” To paraphrase an old saying: Mr. Zinke is all hat and no answers.