Boehner headlines Zinke fundraiser in Whitefish

Republican congressional candidate Ryan Zinke of Whitefish says a fundraising event headlined by House Speaker John Boehner last week was a success, and he has some critical things to say about the tactics of his Democratic opposition.

Zinke said about 100 people attended the fundraiser Wednesday at a private home in the Whitefish area at cost of $10,000 per couple to participate in a roundtable discussion or $1,000 per individual to be part of a reception for Boehner.

“By design, the makeup of the audience really represented all parts of the Republican Party and independents as well,” Zinke said. “I made a point to reach out to different folks.”

Zinke, a former state senator and retired Navy SEAL commander, said Boehner heard some tough questions at the event.

“Montana is a little different than Washington, D.C., and we aren’t shy,” he said. “I think the speaker did a tremendous job of answering them and it was an honor to have him.

Zinke said there were parallels between what Boehner had to say and Zinke’s campaign.

“Our point has been to get government out of business so business can innovate,” he said, adding that was a theme for Boehner, too.

“Quite frankly, I was surprised at the emphasis he put on energy independence, which has always been a pillar of our campaign,” he said. “He talked about going forward, the dangers of Obamacare and the scale of people who are going to lose their current insurance, and the number of people who are going to lose access to health care. We’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg as far as the negative effects that Obamacare will have as it continues to roll forward.”

But Zinke said he and Boehner both emphasized their optimism that “America can be restored.”

John Lewis, Zinke’s Democratic opponent in the race for Montana’s lone U.S. House seat, said earlier this week that he believes the race has not yet been clouded by negativity.

But Zinke says his opposition is geared up to go negative, judging from the “trackers” with cameras who constantly monitor him.

“I continue to have numerous trackers from the Democratic Party who follow me around,” he said. “It’s sad they have to resort to foolish antics ... They’re just looking for me to say something, to have the opportunity to take something I say out of context.”

He said they have trespassed on his property in Whitefish, they attend all of his scheduled engagements, and that they were at both entrances to the property where the Boehner event was held.

“I’ll be walking down the street and they’re asking questions inappropriately, trying to get a rise out of me,” Zinke said. “The playbook is to attack and discredit. I disdain the tactic of trying to tear down an opponent.”

As for his campaign, Zinke said contrasts will be drawn between himself and Lewis.

“There are differences between myself and my opponent, but we’re going to outline those differences in an honest, thoughtful manner,” Zinke said.