Zinke to support Paul Ryan as House speaker
<p>U.S. Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., addresses constituents gathered for a town-hall meeting at Flathead Valley Community College on Thursday in Kalispell.</p>
HELENA (AP) — Montana Congressman Ryan Zinke says he'll support U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin as the next speaker of the House.
Earlier this month, the Whitefish Republican said he was considering running for the position should Ryan decline.
On Tuesday, Ryan said he would run to succeed Rep. John Boehner if he had undivided support from House Republicans by the end of the week. The Republican party is split between pragmatists and conservative hardliners who threatened to force a no-confidence vote in Boehner. The split eventually led to Boehner's resignation.
The House is scheduled to elect a new speaker on Oct. 28.