Zinke resigns delegate position at Republican convention

Rep. Ryan Zinke, R-Mont., has resigned as a delegate to the Republican National Convention over the GOP's position on the transfer of federal lands to states.

Zinke told The (Billings) Gazette that he still plans to give a speech Monday to the convention about national security. But he says he's withdrawing as a delegate because the GOP platform is "more divisive than uniting."

The party's platform committee this past week endorsed draft language that calls on Congress to pass legislation that would shift some federally controlled public lands to the states.

This has been a major issue in Montana's House race. Zinke says he supports better management but not transfer to the states.

State Public Instruction Superintendent Denis Juneau, his Democratic rival, as criticized him for waffling on the subject. She opposes any transfer.

A reserve Montana delegate will have to be appointed to replace him.

___