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Zinke confirmed as Interior secretary

In this Jan. 17, 2017, file photo, Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington at his confirmation hearing before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. (J. Scott Applewhite / Associated Press)
By Matthew Daly Associated Press

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate has confirmed Montana Rep. Ryan Zinke as Secretary of Interior, making him the first person from the Treasure State to serve in a White House cabinet.

The 55-year-old former Navy Seal from Whitefish will resign his seat as Montana’s only member of the House following Wednesday’s vote, setting up a special election.

Zinke was an early supporter of Republican President Donald Trump and shares the new administration’s goal of increased domestic energy production.

He said in a statement that he would fight to keep public lands from being sold or transferred. Democrats have sought to portray Zinke as a supporter of public land transfers.

Montana Sens. Steve Daines and Jon Tester supported Zinke’s confirmation. Zinke had been considering a 2018 run against Tester, a two-term Democrat.