Help Me Ben Truth Tracker: Fact-checking claims made in anti-Monica Tranel political advertisement | Montana Politics | montanarightnow.com

Oct 27, 2024

NonStop Local Anchor

With Montana's general election just around the corner, political advertisements are under the spotlight. A recent ad by Rep. Ryan Zinke has sparked discussions about his opponent, Monica Tranel, and her stance on public lands and gun laws. This ad raises important community questions about …

HELENA, Mont. - Welcome back to the Help Me Ben Truth Tracker. With only days to go until the 2024 General Election, and ballots in the hands of Montana voters, it's time to continue checking on those political advertisements, to help you understand what claims are true, what claims are not true, and what claims need proper context.

This week, let's focus on a political advertisement approved and sponsored by Republican Rep. Ryan Zinke, who is running for re-election in Montana Congressional District 1, or the western district. This ad focuses on his opponent, Democratic candidate Monica Tranel, and her record on guns and public lands.

Here is the transcript from the ad:

"I've run an outfitting business for 29 years. Taught my son to shoot, and now I'm teaching my daughter.

Hunting is our heritage, public lands, our birthright. Ryan Zinke gets that.

But Missoula liberal attorney Monica Tranel wants to hand our public lands to radical environmentalist clients, and confiscate our firearms, even hunting rifles.

Thank god Zinke's got our back.

I'm Ryan Zinke, and I approve this message."

Let's start with the first claim, that Monica Tranel "wants to hand our public lands to radical environmental clients."

We rate this claim as false, and of course, needs context. The claim is referring to a solar panel project that's been proposed by the Federal Bureau of Land Management. The project is part of the Inflation Reduction Act, signed into law by President Joe Biden in August of 2022. It represents a huge undertaking by the Biden administration to attempt to build utility-sized solar panels on public lands across 11 different states.

In Montana, according to BLM maps on their website, only three counties in Montana would be affected by these solar panels: Glacier, Garfield, and Liberty counties, all three along the Canadian border. These places are deemed to be places that are not sacred lands, not brimming with resources, and do not hold a lot of people or society.

In talking with the Tranel campaign, they tell me that she does not support the solar panel project, and does not support leasing public lands in Montana towards large solar panel projects.

As a lawyer, Tranel has represented renewable energy companies in the past, but it's a clear stretch to say that Tranel will "hand over" our public lands to these companies. As a hunter herself, Tranel believes in keeping public lands in public hands.

Now the second claim is that Tranel supports red flag laws. We rate this claim as true, but needs a heavy amount of context. Let's start with what red flag laws actually do. These laws permit temporary gun seizure if a person is deemed by a judge to be a threat to themselves or others. As of May, 2023, 21 different states have adopted such laws, although Montana is not among them.

A poll conducted by FOX News in 2023 showed that over 80% of Americans do actually support allowing police and judges to seize guns from individuals considered dangerous to themselves or others. Multiple studies also indicate that such laws reduce suicide and shooting rates. Tranel is among those who support red flag laws both in Montana and nationwide, aligning with what most Americans believe. The important thing about red flag laws is that they are not intended to impact responsible, law-abiding gun owners in Montana.

The third claim made in the ad also has to do with guns, and says that Tranel will seize firearms, including hunting rifles. We rate this statement as false.

Tranel has consistently stated she does not intend to take firearms from law-abiding citizens. She grew up hunting in Montana, and according to her campaign, values the state's strong hunting traditions.

Her campaign sent NonStop Local a statement, saying in part, "Monica Tranel has a deep respect for firearms as part of the culture." Additionally, Tranel "supports responsible gun ownership, ensuring Montanans’ rights to hunt and use firearms for protection are respected, and even owns hunting rifles herself."

Overall, we rate this political advertisement attacking Monica Tranel as mostly false. No, Tranel does not support renewable energy projects on federal land in Montana, and she doesn't advocate for giving land away. She also supports red flag laws, which wouldn't impact the majority of Montana's gun owners. Importantly, she does not plan to confiscate guns or hunting rifles, and is an avid hunter herself.

Over the past few weeks, we dug deep into other political advertisements that support and attack Senator Jon Tester, Senate candidate Tim Sheehy, Representative Ryan Zinke, and more. The Help Me Ben team remains committed to verifying political claims as election day quickly approaches.

MONTANA – As the countdown to election day intensifies, the Senate race between incumbent Jon Tester and Tim Sheehy takes center stage. With a…

NonStop Local Anchor

Currently in Missoula

Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup.

Error! There was an error processing your request.

Tap into Non-Stop News from Montana Right Now! From the Big Story to the 3 Things to Know - we have the moment's essential headlines.

Local news headlines from NonStop Local in Great Falls and Helena - delivered to your email inbox every weekday.

Local news headlines from NonStop Local Bozeman and Butte - delivered to your email inbox every weekday.

Local news headlines from NonStop Local in Missoula and Kalispell - delivered to your email inbox every weekday.

Get the latest headlines on local sports! News from UM, MSU, High School sports and more.