Do Montanans have eye on presidential runs?

RYAN’S HOPE: Former Montana lawmaker and current U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is reportedly being touted as a presidential contender, one person wrote April 3 for the opinion page of the Des Moines Register. He added that is “presumably" for 2024. A polling firm has been calling Iowa Republican voters to test Zinke’s name recognition for a possible run. And the writer says Zinke is known in the nation’s Capitol as somebody with White House ambitions, Steve Sherman said. Sherman writes April 3 in the Register, which is part of the Gannett chain that owns this paper, “As sure as the corn comes up in rows every spring, politicians come to Iowa feeling out the presidential waters ... According to a Gravis Marketing Poll, someone wants to find out how many Republicans here know the name Ryan Zinke, and if he is viewed favorably or not.” Sherman, a business owner and former Iowa House candidate, says “Those around Zinke are quietly setting the stage for a potential run.” Doug Kaplan, president of Gravis Marketing, tells Sherman the poll is a look ahead to “see who the heir apparent is after Trump.” And adds that the poll shows Zinke “is someone to watch.”...MORE