Monica Tranel says she will still work for the people of Montana

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) – Democratic candidate Monica Tranel, who lost a close election to Republican Ryan Zinke on Nov. 8, appeared on the KGVO talk back show Tuesday to field questions from listeners about her unsuccessful campaign respond.

Tranel first thanked all the KGVO listeners who voted for her while she shot at her opponent Ryan Zinke.

A personal thank you from Monica Tranel to those who voted for her

“I want to thank everyone who supported me and you know we’re almost there,” Tranel began. “I’m just really grateful for the support I’ve gotten and for all the people, especially the people who listen to your show, who saw me as that person and voted for me personally and overlooked party politics, and I I’m super thankful for that. My other message is really to hold Ryan Zinke accountable. We should hold all our elected officials accountable, but especially Ryan Zinke. I mean, he promised he’d ship $2 a gallon of gas, so let’s hold him.”

Tranel explains why she ran for Congress

Tranel was asked to explain why she was running for the newly created West District seat of Congress.

“I ran to serve Montana,” she said. “This is the place I love, know and believe in, and that’s what I do today. I’m an attorney and an active participant in Northwestern Energy’s request for a 25 percent increase in our tariffs. In this case, I’m working for you, the Montana residents, to keep your rates down. I told you during the election campaign that I would stand up for you against corporate monopolies, and I am doing that.”

Tranel said her opponent received most of his campaign funding from non-governmental organizations.

“He got half a million dollars from Conoco Phillips last year,” she said. “This company is one of six companies to make $100 billion in profit in the last six months. That’s a lot of money. So let’s hold our elected officials accountable to us, the people. We are his constituents now, so we all have to do that.”

Tranel said when it comes to Ryan Zinke, ‘follow the money’

Tranel said when it comes to political campaigning, follow the money.

“So Ryan Zinke’s campaign was funded by the National Republican Party, Steve Daines’ PAC and Ryan Zinke’s out-of-state donors,” she said. “During this campaign and in this district, people said, ‘We are so worried that you will go and vote for the national party line.’ Really look at the money, Ryan’s prong is bought and paid for by corporations and the national party. I was financed by you Montaners and I wanted to serve them. So follow the money, follow the money 100%.”

Zinke defeated Tranel in the federal election by 50 to 46 percent.