Eastern Oregon Deserves Real Representation
It's time for new leadership in Oregon's 2nd Congressional District. Who will answer the call?
How Cliff Bentz Has Failed Eastern Oregon
These facts are verified through official government records, congressional voting databases, and campaign finance reports. Our representative should fight for rural communities, not corporate interests.
Corporate Conflicts
Cliff Bentz serves on committees that regulate the same industries that fund his campaigns. He sits on Energy & Commerce and Natural Resources committees while taking money from those sectors.
- $59,100 from livestock industry while regulating agriculture policy
- $47,600 from oil & gas while serving on Energy subcommittee
- Former lawyer for business interests, now their regulator
Democratic Betrayal
Cliff Bentz voted to exclude Arizona and Pennsylvania from the Electoral College count on January 6-7, 2021, hours after a violent insurrection at the Capitol.
- Voted to overturn legitimate election results
- Supported the same lies that inspired the Capitol attack
- Undermined democratic process and rule of law
Corporate Dependence
Bentz receives 50% of his campaign funding from corporate PACs, making him more accountable to donors than to rural Oregon voters.
- $566,552 from corporate PACs in 2023-2024 cycle
- Top donors: Livestock, Oil & Gas, Forestry, Casinos
- Only $65,275 from small individual donations under $200
Legislative Failure
Despite representing a district with significant economic challenges, Bentz has only passed 2 bills as primary sponsor since taking office in 2021.
- H.R. 7938: Klamath Basin Water Agreement (narrow regional focus)
- H.R. 8296: GAO Database Modernization (administrative paperwork)
- No major legislation addressing rural economic needs
Federal Overreach Support
Cliff Bentz supports sending federal troops to Portland against the will of Oregon's Governor and Portland's Mayor. This undermines state sovereignty and local control - core conservative principles.
- "The president had little choice" - justifies federal military intervention
- Opposes state and local authority when convenient for Trump
- Portland Police say they have adequate resources - Bentz disagrees
Speaking Out of Both Sides
Recent town hall reveals Bentz making excuses and contradictory statements
Epstein Files Excuses
Sept 8, 2025"I think it's much more important to work with Chairman Comer than it is to sign onto a bill that might very well compromise ongoing investigations."
"Big Beautiful Bill" vs. Oregon Reality
Sept 8, 2025"This bill is specifically designed to help working families... It's designed to help people who are working and it's designed to help them substantially."
Oregon Deflection
Sept 8, 2025"I haven't paid a huge amount of attention to the bill because I've been focused here in DC on issues"
Town Hall Avoidance
Sept 17, 2025"This gives me an opportunity to speak without some of the challenges that go with live town hall meetings, one of which is a concern about intimidation and personal safety."
Federal Overreach Support
Oct 8, 2025"The president had little choice when it came to calling up the National Guard because local law enforcement is incapable of protecting the people..."
The Voting Record Speaks
Election Integrity
Voted to exclude states from Electoral College count after January 6th insurrection
Attendance
Good attendance record - only missed 0.6% of votes since 2021
Legislative Results
Only 2 bills enacted as primary sponsor in nearly 4 years
Independence
50% of campaign funding comes from corporate PACs he regulates
What Eastern Oregon Needs
Independent Leadership
A representative who works for constituents, not corporate PAC donors who fund their campaigns.
Democratic Integrity
Someone who respects election results and democratic institutions, not someone who votes to overturn elections.
Legislative Results
A representative who passes meaningful legislation for rural Oregon, not just 2 minor bills in 4 years.
Ethical Representation
Someone without conflicts of interest between their committee positions and campaign donors.
Time for Change
Eastern Oregon deserves a representative who fights for our values and our communities. The 2026 Republican primary is our chance to choose better leadership.
Get Involved
- Research potential primary candidates
- Attend local political meetings
- Volunteer for campaigns that represent your values
Stay Informed
- Follow voting records and policy positions
- Attend town halls and candidate forums
- Share this information with neighbors and friends
Make Your Voice Heard
- Contact Bentz's office about these issues
- Write letters to local newspapers
- Engage on social media responsibly
2026 Republican Primary Election
Mark your calendar: The Republican primary election will be held in May 2026. This is when we can choose new leadership for Oregon's 2nd District.
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Source Documents
Primary sources for quotes and claims made on this website
September 8, 2025 Town Hall Transcript
Complete transcript of Congressman Bentz's telephone town hall with Oregon District 2 constituents.
Key Excerpts:
"I'm working with Chairman Comer and his ongoing investigation rather than just demanding files be released that might compromise ongoing investigations... I think it's much more important to work with Chairman Comer than it is to sign onto a bill that might very well compromise ongoing investigations."
"It's got a great name. We call it the Big Beautiful Bill because, frankly, it is... This bill is specifically designed to help working families... It's designed to help people who are working and it's designed to help them substantially."
"I haven't paid a huge amount of attention to the bill because I've been focused here in DC on issues... The gas tax is going to go up and many of the fees that surround the gas tax are going to go up... people are going to be unhappy that this bill increases their costs"
September 17, 2025 Town Hall Transcript
Complete transcript of Congressman Bentz's telephone town hall revealing more excuses and avoidance patterns.
Key Excerpts:
"This gives me an opportunity to speak without some of the challenges that go with live town hall meetings, one of which is a concern about intimidation and personal safety. In the past, I've generally had between five police officers present, and I think up on the ground we had 12 or 15."
"The discharge petition that Massey has suggested, which I do not support, is not crafted properly to protect the innocent... when Massey was drafting this petition, he should have exercised far more care"
"We had been working with the Biden administration, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, to try to harass the wolf. And then the administration's changed... the U.S. Fish, under the Trump administration, stepped up, called me and said, hey, we're going to kill the wolf."
News Coverage: Federal Overreach Support
Major Oregon news outlets criticize Bentz for supporting federal military intervention against state and local authority.
Key News Reports:
"Rep. Cliff Bentz says President Donald Trump is justified in his push to send federal troops to protect Portland's ICE building... 'The president had little choice when it came to calling up the National Guard because local law enforcement is incapable of protecting the people'"
"Bentz seems more interested in discussing the wisdom of sending the National Guard to Portland than he is about the Trump administration's Oct. 1 decision to rescind hundreds of millions of dollars in congressionally approved federal funds for energy projects in his rural district"
"By trafficking in the idea that Portland's share of national unrest during the pandemic made the city of 635,000 war-ravaged, Bentz gives the impression that scoring cheap political points is easier than defending his constituents' interests."