Zinke Calls For Five Debates, Two in Indian Country

Press Release

Today Rep. Ryan Zinke called for his two challengers to accept a series of five debates, including two in Indian Country, which span TV, print, and radio mediums. Three of the debates would be traditional format, two would be town hall-style where audience members would be permitted to ask questions to the three candidates.

"I don't mind getting a report card, and I certainly am not afraid to look voters in Big Sky Country in the eye and tell them the truth. If a candidate can't explain to the voters their opposition to coal jobs, their support for bringing unvetted refugees to Montana, or their support for Common Core, they shouldn't be running for office," said Zinke. "I've had the honor of representing all Montanans in the House the past eighteen months, and I look forward to earning their trust yet again. Montanans deserve to see and hear from those who wish to represent them in Congress, which is exactly why I'm proposing a diverse schedule of traditional and town hall-style debates across the state, including two in Indian Country."

Zinke proposed the following:

Saturday, August 20th -- Hardin, MT -- Town hall-style debate moderated by Tom Lutey of the Billings Gazette, held during the heart of the Crow Fair.

Thursday, September 1st -- Helena, MT --Traditional debate hosted by MTN and moderated by longtime Montana political reporter current MTN Chief Political Reporter Mike Dennison & Chuck Johnson, longtime Helena Bureau Chief with Lee Newspapers and current analyst with MTPR.

Friday, September 16th -- Kalispell, MT --Traditional debate moderated by Frank Miele of the Kalispell Daily Inter Lake.

Wednesday, October 5th -- Fort Peck, MT --Traditional debate hosted by the Montana Farm Bureau, moderated by the Glasgow Courier.

Wednesday, October 26th -- Great Falls, MT --Radio town hall-style debate on Montana's only statewide news/talk program, Voices of Montana, on the Northern Broadcasting Network.

"Growing up on a farm east of Billings, I know that folks in rural Montana vote because it is a responsibility we take seriously as Americans," said Zinke's campaign manager, Evan Wilson. "Participating in the electoral process is a civic duty, not a chance to push some political agenda. That's why I'm thrilled to work for a Montanan like Ryan Zinke, who understands the importance of eastern Montana and our rural areas. We look forward to numerous debates in communities both large and small, because Ryan believes that voters in one stoplight towns deserve to have their voices heard as well."

Source