Who's running in Oregon's 2nd congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Cliff Bentz currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Ensuring enough federal firefighters, aircraft and equipment for wildfire season.
Creating a new federal agency focused on fighting wildfires across departments.
Moving the US Forest Service headquarters to Salt Lake City, closer to the lands it manages.
Preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, while opposing US ground troops unless no other option exists.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Oregon's 2nd District since January 2021; won in 2024 with 64%.
Replaced in-person town halls with telephone town halls in 2025; says phone events drew about 32,000 callers.
Won the May 19, 2026 Republican primary with nearly 80%.
Had about $1.3 million in campaign cash before the primary, according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Arguments in favor
Town halls taken over by shouting protesters are not 'doing a good service for my constituents'; phone town halls reached about 32,000 people who didn't have to travel, and meetings with local officials have been 'extremely productive'.
— Cliff Bentz, to the Baker City Herald
On the Iran war, 'We can't let them have that weapon' — preventing a nuclear-armed Iran is 'certainly worth the effort we're making.'
— Cliff Bentz, to the Baker City Herald
Arguments against
'People are mad that Bentz isn't showing up for town halls. It just looks so cowardly.' The district needs a representative who is not 'a rubber stamp for the Trump administration.'
— Chris Beck, Democratic opponent, to the Hermiston Herald
Bentz should defend Oregon's vote-by-mail system to the White House: 'our state started it, there's no evidence of fraud… Cliff Bentz should be a proud champion.'
— Chris Beck, Democratic opponent, to the Hermiston Herald
What we couldn’t verify
Bentz's campaign website could not be located.
Whether Bentz will resume in-person town halls or debate Beck had not been reported; he said he will hold live town halls again 'at some point'.
Affordability, including fuel and fertiliser costs.
Ending tariffs he says are hurting wheat, wine and farm-equipment users.
Rural health care access and land use planning.
Opposing the Iran war.
Protecting Oregon's vote-by-mail system.
An independent voice willing to compromise and hold in-person town halls.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Oregon state representative, House District 12, 1997–2003.
Former USDA rural economic development policy adviser in the Obama administration.
Won the May 19, 2026 Democratic primary with 34% of the vote; also nominated by the Independent Party of Oregon.
Endorsed by former Gov. John Kitzhaber.
Had raised a little more than $30,000 before the primary, according to the Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Says he will run no TV ads or yard signs for lack of money and is relying on social media and in-person campaigning; his website tracks days since Bentz's last in-person town hall.
Raised about $23,400 as of March 31, 2026, per the Oregon Capital Chronicle.
Arguments in favor
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
Arguments against
We found none published about this candidate in the sources reviewed.
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of Beck could be found, so no arguments are listed for him (his campaign's case is in his positions). Searched: 'Chris Beck Bentz campaign', 'Oregon Republican Party Beck', his five Democratic primary rivals' statements (Oregon Capital Chronicle candidate profiles), KTVZ's post-primary Bentz interview, and East Oregonian, OPB and Herald and News coverage; Bentz did not respond to the Capital Chronicle's request for comment.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Oregon held its primaries on May 19, 2026; November 3 is the general election, decided by plurality with no runoff. No redistricting or map litigation affecting Oregon's 2026 congressional lines was found. Two candidates are qualified for the ballot on the Secretary of State's candidate filings list: Republican incumbent Cliff Bentz, who won his primary with nearly 80% over Peter Larson and Andrea Carr, and Democrat Chris Beck, who is also nominated by the Independent Party of Oregon and won a six-way Democratic primary with 34%. The district is Oregon's largest, covering more than 70,000 square miles across 20 of 36 counties east of the Cascades and in southern Oregon, including The Dalles and Medford. It has been held by Republicans since 1981; Bentz won with 64% in 2024.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Oregon ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.