Cliff Bentz

In the 2024 House race for OR-2, Cliff Bentz (R) won with 63.9% of the vote, defeating Dan Ruby (D) who received 32.8%. 2 additional candidates split the remaining vote. Cliff Bentz's 31.1-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, Cliff Bentz benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. The 2024 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2022 House race for OR-2, Cliff Bentz (R) won with 67.5% of the vote, defeating Joe Yetter (D) who received 32.4%. A third candidate also appeared on the ballot. Cliff Bentz's 35.1-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

As the incumbent, Cliff Bentz benefited from name recognition, established constituent services, and the roughly 2-3 point advantage that sitting members typically enjoy. As a Republican, Cliff Bentz benefited from the historical midterm penalty against the president's party — with a Democrat in the White House, the opposition typically gains seats. The wide margin suggests this district is firmly in the Republican column for the foreseeable future.

In the 2020 House race for OR-2, Cliff Bentz (R) won with 59.9% of the vote, defeating Alex Spenser (D) who received 36.9%. 2 additional candidates split the remaining vote. Cliff Bentz's 22.9-point advantage over the runner-up confirmed a comfortable win.

This was an open-seat race. Open seats typically attract stronger candidates and heavier spending from both parties. The 2020 presidential election drove higher voter turnout, which can help or hurt down-ballot candidates depending on the top of the ticket.