Cliff Bentz

Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District is the largest in the state, covering 20 counties across Central and Eastern Oregon. Cliff Bentz, the only Republican representing the state in Congress, has held that seat since 2021.

Six Democratic Party primary contenders want to flip the district. But to do so, they’ll need to reach conservative and independent voters.

Dawn Rasmussen, a small business owner and former school board member, said the first step is to listen to what constituents have to say.

“I’m actually going to those places that are, you know, scary for me because I’m the only one that’s blue and everybody else is red,” Rasmussen said. “It’s not about me telling my story as much as it is about listening to what their stories are.”

Rebecca Mueller, a pediatrician who grew up a Christian conservative only to eventually drop the conservative tag, said she’s heard plenty of voters’ stories while working in a rural clinic.

“You get an inside scoop to what it looks like to not be able t