Fentanyl Crisis: Montana Congressional Candidate Changes Tune

After initially dismissing the role of the southern border in the fentanyl crisis, Democratic congressional candidate Monica Tranel has pivoted her stance ahead of the 2024 election. Republican incumbent Rep. Ryan Zinke is highlighting the apparent shift in Tranel's position.

Monica Tranel, the Democratic candidate vying for Montana's First Congressional District, has undergone a notable shift in her stance on the fentanyl crisis. During her first congressional bid in 2022, Tranel downplayed the connection between the southern border and fentanyl trafficking, but her recent campaign messaging paints a different picture.

In a 2022 debate with Republican incumbent Rep. Ryan Zinke, Tranel argued that fentanyl primarily originated in China and that border closures would not alleviate the crisis. However, data released by the U.S. Department of Justice shortly after showed that approximately 36 million lethal doses of fentanyl were seized between May and September 2022, with 35 cases directly linked to Mexican cartels.

Fentanyl Crisis: Montana Congressional Candidate Changes Tune

As Tranel prepares for another bid for the Republican-held seat in 2024, her campaign rhetoric has shifted significantly. In a September campaign ad, she asserted, "We have a real crisis at the border. We need to secure the border, hire more border patrol agents, and go after the drug cartels to stop the flow of illegal drugs like fentanyl."

The stark contrast between Tranel's previous and current positions has drawn criticism. Madison Atkinson, Montana GOP spokesperson, accused Tranel of exploiting the border issue for political gain and aligning with the Biden administration's policies, which she claims would exacerbate crime and border chaos.

Fentanyl Crisis: Montana Congressional Candidate Changes Tune

In response to inquiries about her previous comments, Tranel emphasized the need to both secure the border and address the fentanyl crisis. She advocated for increased resources for border patrol and targeting cartels, both in China and at the border. Tranel expressed support for legislation that would enhance detection and prevention measures for fentanyl trafficking.

Tranel's revised stance has also been criticized by Zinke, who pointed out his consistent advocacy for border security and opposition to Tranel's proposed policies. The Republican incumbent accused Tranel of playing politics with the issue rather than working towards genuine solutions.

Fentanyl Crisis: Montana Congressional Candidate Changes Tune

Tranel defended her position, arguing that she would have supported legislation to address fentanyl supply and that border security remains a priority. She criticized Zinke for not supporting such measures and prioritized protecting Montana communities by stopping the flow of illegal drugs.

The fentanyl crisis has become a major concern in the United States, with seizures in fiscal year 2023 alone reaching levels sufficient to kill the entire U.S. population. As the issue continues to garner attention, candidates like Tranel and Zinke will face scrutiny over their proposed approaches to combating the growing threat.

Fentanyl Crisis: Montana Congressional Candidate Changes Tune