Bentz, a former state senator and attorney from Ontario, is the likely heir apparent to Rep. Greg Walden, who is retiring from Congress after 22 years. The election to replace Walden saw a large number of candidates hoping to capitalize on the rare opportunity.
“Having 11 folks in the race on the Republican side was really unusual,” Bentz told OPB on election night. “And of course Greg Walden the incumbent has done such a wonderful job.”
Early returns showed Bentz leading with more than 36% of the vote, followed by former state Rep. Knute Buehler.
Buehler, who ran an aggressive campaign with significant financial backing, conceded the race to Bentz after 9 p.m., Tuesday.
“I strongly endorse Cliff and encourage all Republicans to rally behind him to keep CD2 Republican in 2020. Congrats to Cliff, his family and all his supporters,” Buehler said in a statement.
Bentz spent at least $372,000 before the primary, according to Federal Election Commission reports. Buehler’s campaign poured over $1,000,000 in to the race.
Political newcomer Jimmy Crumpacker ended with a third place finish in the primary after significant spending to build his name in the district, followed by former state Sen. Jason Atkinson.
Bentz served in the Oregon House for 12 years, before accepting an appointment to the state Senate in 2018. He stepped down earlier this year to run for Congress.
Walden, the retiring congressman, congratulated Bentz Tuesday night.
“His experience as a lawyer as well as a state legislator showcase his ability to navigate policy and politics,” Walden said in a statement. “This job is no walk in the park, and with such an expansive district the windshield time and the miles tracked are substantial, but I am confident Cliff will excel at the task.”
Come November, Bentz will face a Democrat, in a district where the GOP has a significant voter registration advantage. Early returns showed a tight race between Democrats Alex Spenser and Nik Heuertz. Both had minimal fundraising during the primary, failing to meet the fundraising requirements to register with the FEC.
It will prove challenging in November to take on the Bentz campaign unless Spenser sees major support from the Democratic Party.
The 2nd Congressional District includes roughly two thirds of the state, including the counties of Baker, Crook, Deschutes, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Jefferson, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, and Wheeler, as well as a portion of Josephine County.
Copyright 2020 Oregon Public Broadcasting
