Representative Cliff Bentz, Republican from Oregon

Cliff Bentz

Oregon's 2nd congressional district

OR-2 Midterms Intelligence

Cliff Bentz represents one of the most territorially vast, structurally Republican districts in the West: OR-2 is R+32, older than the nation, and dominated by resource politics, ranching-country economics, and deep skepticism of Portland-driven agendas. His committee footprint on Natural Resources and Energy and Commerce fits the district’s identity almost too neatly. The electorate is heavily white and aging, with 23.1% over 65, and Bentz’s coalition is anchored in voters who see federal land, water, energy, and regulation as immediate pocketbook issues rather than ideological abstractions.

For advocates, this is not a persuasion district so much as a permission structure district: campaigns work when they are framed around local control, cost, and operational certainty for agriculture, utilities, and rural communities. The strategic opening is that economic stress is real beneath the GOP tilt—median income is $67,259, SNAP usage is 20.3%, and unemployment sits at 5.8%—so anti-regulatory messages land, but so do arguments tied to infrastructure, healthcare access, and wildfire resilience if they are sold as practical rural protections, not climate politics.

Representative Cliff Bentz represents Oregon's 2nd congressional district, serving 708,237 constituents. The district has an estimated median household income of $67,259 and an unemployment rate of 5.8%.

Economic & Demographic Snapshot

708,237Population
↑ 3,218
$67,259Median Incomenat'l $37,585
↑ $4,611
5.8%Unemploymentnat'l 3.5%
↓ 0.7%
9.3%Poverty Ratenat'l 12.4%
↑ 0.3%
69.1%Homeownershipnat'l 65.5%
→ no change
$1,134Median Rentnat'l $1,163
↑ $96
0.4%Public Transitnat'l 5%
→ no change
19.8 minMean Commutenat'l 26.4 min
↑ 0.3 min

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates (2017-2021 vs. 2019-2023). All figures are statistical estimates with 90% confidence level.

Oregon District 2 Demographics

Median Age 42.8 (vs 38.5) · Homeownership 69.1% (vs 65.5%) · Bachelor’s+ 24.4% (vs 33.7%) · Poverty 9.3% (vs 12.4%) · Income $67,259 (vs $37,585)

Key Issues for This District
Education accessFood security

Age Distribution

Skews older than the national average (median age 42.8 vs 38.5 nationally). 16% of residents are 70+. Medicare, Social Security, and healthcare access are top-of-mind.

Race & Ethnicity

White residents are the largest group at 79.2%. Also significant: Hispanic (15.5%).

* Hispanic includes respondents of any race. Racial categories include both Hispanic and non-Hispanic individuals.

Education

24.4% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, below the 33.7% national average. 10.3% of residents lack a high school diploma.

Income Distribution

Median household income is $67,259, well above the $37,585 national median.

Housing

Homeownership at 69.1% (vs 65.5% nationally). Median rent is $1,134. Median home value is $366,400.

How People Get to Work

Car-dependent: 73.5% drive alone to work. Average commute is 19.8 minutes.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates
Data represents 5-year statistical estimates for increased reliability.

Oregon District 2 FAQ

Reach Oregon Lawmakers

Representative Bentz focuses on Public Lands and Natural Resources, Government Operations and Politics and Science, Technology, Communications. Deliver personalized constituent letters to Oregon's federal, state, and local officials — live in under five minutes.

Grassroots advocacy & legislator intelligence. Used by nonprofits, associations, and GR firms nationwide.

Start a Campaign