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