6 Democrats compete in primary for Oregon’s largest congressional district
Top row, from left: Chris Beck, Rebecca Mueller and Peter Quince. Bottom row, from left: Patty Snow, Dawn Rasmussen and Mary Doyle. (Candidate-provided photos)
by Mia Maldonado, Oregon Capital Chronicle
Six Democrats are facing off in the primary in May for Oregon’s most rural congressional district.
The winner will likely compete in November against Republican U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz, an Ontario attorney and former state lawmaker who has held the seat since 2021. Bentz has two challengers in the Republican primary, but is expected to easily win his primary and favored to win reelection in the sprawling 2nd Congressional District.
The district spans more than 70,000 square miles across 20 of 36 counties. It runs through The Dalles, and Medford, skirting Bend and Roseburg and stretches east into every town until reaching the Idaho border. The district has been held by a Republican since 1981, and it’s Oregon’s only congressional district with more registered Republicans than Democrats.
Th…