Republican Cliff Bentz succeeds Rep. Greg Walden

By Ryan Haas (OPB)
Nov. 4, 2020 4:20 a.m.

U.S. House: District 2

Last Updated: Dec. 4, 2020 9:54 p.m.

100% Reporting

Cliff BentzR
273,83559.95%
Alex SpenserD
168,88136.97%
Robert Werch
14,0943.09%

In unofficial, early returns, former Oregon state lawmaker Cliff Bentz won the race to represent the state’s massive 2nd Congressional District.

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Bentz will replace longtime fellow Republican and district Rep. Greg Walden.

Related: OPB’s 2020 election coverage, ballot guide and results

Bentz’s challenger, Democrat Alex Spenser, is a poet and performance coach who lives in The Dalles.

The race to replace Walden is a rare opportunity to change representation in the 2nd District because Walden has held the seat for two decades without significant challenge. The sitting congressman announced in 2019 this would be his last term in office.

Bentz, an attorney who lives in Malheur County, campaigned as someone who will continue Walden’s legacy of representing conservative voices in Oregon. He has regularly talked about water and agricultural issues on the campaign trail as areas he would focus on in Washington, D.C.

Bentz’s lead in the district is not unexpected, as the counties represented have a significant Republican voter registration advantage.

Spenser campaigned on a more progressive message than Bentz, noting her support for universal health care and a guaranteed basic income, as well as pro-environment stances.

This is a link to OPB's election coverage, ballot guide and results.
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Cliff Bentz and Alex Spenser face off in Oregon’s largest congressional district

After nearly 22 years as Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District representative, Republican Greg Walden is retiring from Congress. That leaves a race without an incumbent this year for the massive district that covers more than half the state. Republican Cliff Bentz and Democrat Alex Spenser are the two leading candidates vying for the seat.