Who's In the Race

Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) faces Democrat Chris Beck in the Nov. 3 general election in Oregon's 2nd Congressional District. ​

Bentz has represented the district since 2021, previously serving in the Oregon House beginning in 2008 and later in the Oregon Senate; he is an attorney whose practice specialized in ranch reorganizations and water law. He won the Republican primary with about 80 percent of the vote over runner-up Peter Larson.

Beck is a former Oregon state representative who served the 12th District from 1997 to 2003 and has described himself as a lifelong advocate for rural economies. He won a six-candidate Democratic primary with about 35 percent of the vote; Mary Doyle finished second with about 20 percent.

What They Stand For

Bentz has supported prioritizing water issues, according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Securing the borders,
  • Reducing regulation and lowering taxes,
  • Fire and federal forest management; and
  • Trade and health care are among his campaign issues.

Beck has proposed repealing H.R. 1 and restoring the funding it cut from Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), according to his campaign website. He's also supported:

  • Stabilizing rural health care through bipartisan reform modeled on Oregon's system, according to the League of Women Voters 2026 General Election voter guide,
  • Protecting Social Security and keeping small hospitals and schools open; and
  • Rural housing and dam removal, according to Jefferson Public Radio.

The Money Behind the Race

Bentz raised about $1 million through June 30, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings, and had about $1.4 million in cash on hand.

Beck raised about $95,000 through June 30, per FEC filings, and had about $54,000 in the bank. His campaign carried about $1,307 in debt.

Race Outlook: Ratings and Betting Markets

Every major handicapper rates this race solidly in Bentz's favor. The Cook Political Report rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 9; Sabato's Crystal Ball rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 11; and Inside Elections rated it Solid Republican as of Oct. 2.

On Kalshi, traders gave Republicans, whose nominee is Bentz, a 92.05 percent chance of winning as of Oct. 13; Democrats, whose nominee is Beck, stood at 7.95 percent.

The district's own history reinforces that picture. Bentz won Oregon's 2nd District with about 68 percent in 2022 and about 64 percent in 2024. Statewide, Democrats held four of Oregon's six U.S. House seats in 2022 and five of six in 2024. Democrat Kamala Harris carried Oregon in the 2024 presidential election with about 55 percent of the vote.

Oregon's voter-registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 13, according to the Oregon Secretary of State. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3; polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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