Cliff
Bentz
Republican incumbent Cliff Bentz seeks re-election to represent Oregon's 2nd Congressional District in 2026.
- sources
- 12
- positions
- 6
- endorsements
- 18
Background
Cliff Bentz is a Republican U.S. Representative serving Oregon's 2nd Congressional District, first elected on November 3, 2020 5. He was raised on family cattle ranches in Harney County and is based in Ontario, Oregon [5, 6]. Before his congressional service, Bentz served in the Oregon House of Representatives for District 60 from 2008 to 2018 (initially appointed in January 2008, then elected to five two-year terms), and in the Oregon State Senate for District 30 from 2018 until January 2, 2020, when he was appointed to fill that seat 5.
Bentz earned a bachelor's degree in history in 1974 from Eastern Oregon State College (now Eastern Oregon University) and a J.D. in 1977 from Lewis & Clark Law School [5, 6]. He joined the Ontario law firm Yturri, O'Kief, Rose and Burnham in 1977, becoming a partner in 1981, with a practice specializing in ranch reorganizations and water law [5, 6]. He also served on the Oregon Water Resources Commission from 1988 to 1996 6.
Bentz is running as the Republican incumbent for Oregon's 2nd Congressional District in the November 3, 2026 general election, as listed in the Oregon Secretary of State candidate filing search and the Oregon ballot directive [10, 11, 12].
At a glance
- Party
- Republican · Incumbent
- Running for
- U.S. House · District 2, Oregon
- Election
- Nov 3, 2026
- Current office
- U.S. Representative for Oregon's 2nd Congressional District
- Website
- cliffbentz.com(opens in a new tab)
Where they stand
Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.
Timeline
- Oct 7debateBentz declines all four debate invitations from Jefferson Public Radio, LWV, KTVZ, and KNDU
The Rogue Valley Times reported that Bentz declined invitations to four debates hosted by Jefferson Public Radio, the League of Women Voters, KTVZ, and KNDU, while challenger Beck accepted all four. Bentz said he saw 'no reason to engage in a political debate' that would give his opponent publicity, stating he would focus on legislative and district work instead. Beck publicly criticized the decision.
Rep. Bentz declines four debate invitations with Democrat/Independent opponent Beck · Oct 7, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Oct 5newsBentz announces Air Force authorization for Kingsley Field to prepare for F-35A jets
Bentz announced that an Air Force decision authorized Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls to begin construction in preparation for F-35A jets, with aircraft expected to arrive in summer 2027. The report republishes a Bentz press release.
Cliff Bentz Announces Kingsley Field Authorization for F- ... · Oct 5, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 30newsChallenger Chris Beck centers rural health care in race against Bentz
OPB reported that Democratic/Independent challenger Chris Beck was emphasizing rural health care and affordability as the central themes of his campaign against Bentz in Oregon's 2nd District.
Chris Beck puts rural health care at the center of his race against Cliff Bentz · Sep 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Sep 25newsBentz announces Milton-Freewater water project included in House-passed WRDA bill
Bentz announced that a Water Resources Development Act measure passed by the House included a proposed $13 million authorization for Milton-Freewater's water system. Senate approval and subsequent congressional appropriations would still be required before any funds could be provided.
Cliff Bentz Says Milton-Freewater Water Project Included in WRDA Bill · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab) - Jul 15filingBentz Q2 FEC filing: ~$207K raised, ~$177.5K spent, ~$1.4M cash on hand
A campaign-finance summary based on FEC filings (data through June 30) shows Bentz raised approximately $207,000 and spent approximately $177,500 in the second quarter, ending with about $1.4 million cash on hand. These figures reflect committee finances only, not total outside spending.
Oregon's 2nd Congressional District 2026: Beck vs. Bentz | ChamberLight · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
Endorsements
- Rep. Bruce Westerman officialChair of the House Natural Resources Committee; quoted endorsement in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- Randy Sparacino officialJackson County commissioner and former Medford mayor; quoted endorsement in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- 32 Oregon county commissioners officialListed among endorsements reported by the candidate on iVoterGuide; not all named and no endorsement dates provided. ivoterguide.com
- Oregon Cattlemen's Association organizationListed in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- American Forest Resource Council organizationListed in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- Oregon Rural Electric Cooperative Association organizationListed in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- AgPAC organizationListed in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- Oregon Nurseries' PAC organizationListed in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- National Rifle Association Political Victory Fund (NRA PVF) organizationListed among endorsements on iVoterGuide's 2026 candidate profile; no endorsement date found in sources consulted. ivoterguide.com
- Rep. Jim Jordan officialChair of the House Judiciary Committee; quoted endorsement in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- Sheriff Brian Wolfe and 14 other Oregon county sheriffs officialListed among endorsements reported by the candidate on iVoterGuide; not all named and no endorsement dates provided. ivoterguide.com
- Oregon Right to Life PAC organizationListed in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- Oregon Farm Bureau Federation organizationListed in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- Associated Oregon Loggers, Inc. organizationListed in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- Oregonians for Food and Shelter organizationListed in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- The Young Republicans of Oregon organizationListed in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- National Federation of Independent Business Fed PAC organizationListed in Bentz's 2026 general election voters' pamphlet statement. sos.oregon.gov
- National Right to Life organizationListed among endorsements on iVoterGuide's 2026 candidate profile; no endorsement date found in sources consulted. ivoterguide.com
Campaign finance
Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.
- Raised
- $1.01M
- Spent
- $647K
- Cash on hand
- $1.42M
As of Jun 30, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record H0OR02127(opens in a new tab)
Sources 12
- [1] Rep. Bentz declines four debate invitations with Democrat/Independent opponent Beck(opens in a new tab) Oct 7, 2026
- [2] Cliff Bentz Announces Kingsley Field Authorization for F- ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 5, 2026
- [3] Issues - Cliff Bentz – For Congress(opens in a new tab) Oct 4, 2026
- [4] Voters' Pamphlet General Election 2026 for Deschutes County(opens in a new tab) Oct 3, 2026
- [5] Cliff Bentz — Oregon's 2nd Congressional District election ...(opens in a new tab) Oct 1, 2026
- [6] Chris Beck puts rural health care at the center of his race against Cliff Bentz(opens in a new tab) Sep 30, 2026
- [7] Oregon's 2nd Congressional District 2026: Beck vs. Bentz | ChamberLight(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
- [8] Cliff Bentz Says Milton-Freewater Water Project Included in WRDA Bill(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
- [9] Voter Guide Profile for OR U.S. Rep., Dist. 2 candidate - Cliff Bentz(opens in a new tab) Sep 17, 2026
- [10] Congressman Bentz Introduces "Hydropower Licensing Affordability ...(opens in a new tab) Jun 18, 2026
- [11] Congressman Cliff Bentz Statement Regarding the Events in ...(opens in a new tab) Jan 15, 2026
- [12] Cliff Bentz (R-OR-2) Voting Record(opens in a new tab) Jun 6, 2025