# Oregon's 2nd congressional district

Oregon's 2nd congressional district is the largest of Oregon's six districts, and is the seventh largest district in the nation. It is the second-largest congressional district in the nation that does not cover an entire state, and has been represented by Republican Cliff Bentz of Ontario since 2021.
The district covers roughly two-thirds of the state, east of the Willamette Valley. It includes all of Baker, Crook, Gilliam, Grant, Harney, Hood River, Jackson, Josephine, Klamath, Lake, Malheur, Morrow, Sherman, Umatilla, Union, Wallowa, Wasco, Wheeler counties, all but a small sliver of Jefferson County, the southeastern portions of Deschutes and Douglas counties, and small, unincorporated portions of Clackamas and Marion counties.
With a Cook Partisan Voting Index rating of R+15, it is the sole reliably Republican district in Oregon. It has been in Republican hands since 1981.

## Recent election results from statewide races

| Year | Office | Results |
| 2008 | President | McCain 56–41% |
| 2012 | President | Romney 61–39% |
| 2016 | President | Trump 59–31% |
| 2016 | Senate | Callahan 46–45% |
| 2016 | Governor (spec.) | Pierce 58–35% |
| 2016 | Attorney General | Crowe 59–38% |
| 2018 | Governor | Buehler 60–31% |
| 2020 | President | Trump 61–36% |
| 2020 | Senate | Rae Perkins 58–38% |
| 2020 | Secretary of State | Thatcher 62–33% |
| 2020 | Treasurer | Gudman 59–34% |
| 2020 | Attorney General | Cross 61–37% |
| 2022 | Senate | Rae Perkins 60–37% |
| 2022 | Governor | Drazan 64–27% |
| 2024 | President | Trump 62–35% |
| 2024 | Secretary of State | Linthicum 62–35% |
| 2024 | Treasurer | Boquist 63–31% |
| 2024 | Attorney General | Lathrop 66–34% |

## Composition

For the 118th and successive Congresses (based on redistricting following the 2020 census), the district contains all or portions of the following counties and communities:
Baker County (8)
    All 8 communities
Clackamas County (0)
    No incorporated or census-recognized communities
Crook County (4)
    All 4 communities
Deschutes County (9)
    Bend (part; also 5th), La Pine, Three Rivers (part; also 5th)
Douglas County (6)
    Canyonville, Days Creek, Glendale, Myrtle Creek, Riddle, Tri-City
Gilliam County (9)
    All 9 communities
Grant County (10)
    All 10 communities
Harney County (3)
    All 3 communities
Jackson County (17)
    All 17 communities
Jefferson County (6)
    All 6 communities
Josephine County (11)
    All 11 communities
Klamath County (20)
    All 20 communities
Malheur County (9)
    All 9 communities
Marion County (0)
    No incorporated or census-recognized communities
Morrow County (5)
    All 5 communities
Sherman County (5)
    All 5 communities
Umatilla County (22)
    All 22 communities
Union County (8)
    All 8 communities
Wallowa County (5)
    All 5 communities
Wasco County (13)
    All 13 communities
Wheeler County (3)
    All 3 communities

## List of members representing the district

| Member | Party | Years | Cong ess | Electoral history |
| District established March 4, 1893 |||||
| William R. Ellis (Heppner) | Republican | March 4, 1893 – March 3, 1899 | 53rd 54th 55th | Elected in 1892. Re-elected in 1894. Re-elected in 1896. Lost renomination. |
| Malcolm A. Moody (The Dalles) | Republican | March 4, 1899 – March 3, 1903 | 56th 57th | Elected in 1898. Re-elected in 1900. Lost renomination. |
| John N. Williamson (Prineville) | Republican | March 4, 1903 – March 3, 1907 | 58th 59th | Elected in 1902 Re-elected in 1904. Retired. |
| William R. Ellis (Pendleton) | Republican | March 4, 1907 – March 3, 1911 | 60th 61st | Elected in 1906. Re-elected in 1908. Lost renomination. |
| Walter Lafferty (Portland) | Republican | March 4, 1911 – March 3, 1913 | 62nd | Elected in 1910. Redistricted to the 3rd district. |
| Nicholas J. Sinnott (The Dalles) | Republican | March 4, 1913 – May 31, 1928 | 63rd 64th 65th 66th 67th 68th 69th 70th | Elected in 1912. Re-elected in 1914. Re-elected in 1916. Re-elected in 1918. Re-elected in 1920. Re-elected in 1922. Re-elected in 1924. Re-elected in 1926. Resigned to become judge to the U.S. Court of Claims. |
| Vacant | Vacant | May 31, 1928 – November 6, 1928 | 70th | |
| Robert R. Butler (The Dalles) | Republican | November 6, 1928 – January 7, 1933 | 70th 71st 72nd | Elected to finish Sinnott's term. Also elected to the next full term. Re-elected in 1930. Lost re-election and died before next term began. |
| Vacant | Vacant | January 7, 1933 – March 3, 1933 | 72nd | |
| Walter M. Pierce (La Grande) | Democratic | March 4, 1933 – January 3, 1943 | 73rd 74th 75th 76th 77th | Elected in 1932. Re-elected in 1934. Re-elected in 1936. Re-elected in 1938. Re-elected in 1940. Lost re-election. |
| Lowell Stockman (Pendleton) | Republican | January 3, 1943 – January 3, 1953 | 78th 79th 80th 81st 82nd | Elected in 1942. Re-elected in 1944. Re-elected in 1946. Re-elected in 1948. Re-elected in 1950. Retired. |
| Sam Coon (Baker) | Republican | January 3, 1953 – January 3, 1957 | 83rd 84th | Elected in 1952. Re-elected in 1954. Lost re-election. |
| Al Ullman (Baker) | Democratic | January 3, 1957 – January 3, 1981 | 85th 86th 87th 88th 89th 90th 91st 92nd 93rd 94th 95th 96th | Elected in 1956. Re-elected in 1958. Re-elected in 1960. Re-elected in 1962. Re-elected in 1964. Re-elected in 1966. Re-elected in 1968. Re-elected in 1970. Re-elected in 1972. Re-elected in 1974. Re-elected in 1976. Re-elected in 1978. Lost re-election. |
| Denny Smith (Salem) | Republican | January 3, 1981 – January 3, 1983 | 97th | Elected in 1980. Redistricted to the 5th district. |
| Robert F. Smith (Burns) | Republican | January 3, 1983 – January 3, 1995 | 98th 99th 100th 101st 102nd 103rd | Elected in 1982. Re-elected in 1984. Re-elected in 1986. Re-elected in 1988. Re-elected in 1990. Re-elected in 1992. Retired. |
| Wes Cooley (Alfalfa) | Republican | January 3, 1995 – January 3, 1997 | 104th | Elected in 1994. Renominated but withdrew prior to election. |
| Robert F. Smith (Medford) | Republican | January 3, 1997 – January 3, 1999 | 105th | Elected in 1996. Retired. |
| Greg Walden (Hood River) | Republican | January 3, 1999 – January 3, 2021 | 106th 107th 108th 109th 110th 111th 112th 113th 114th 115th 116th | Elected in 1998. Re-elected in 2000. Re-elected in 2002. Re-elected in 2004. Re-elected in 2006. Re-elected in 2008. Re-elected in 2010. Re-elected in 2012. Re-elected in 2014. Re-elected in 2016. Re-elected in 2018. Retired. |
| Cliff Bentz (Ontario) | Republican | January 3, 2021 – present | 117th 118th 119th | Elected in 2020. Re-elected in 2022. Re-elected in 2024. |

## Election results

Sources (official results only):
* Elections History from the Oregon Secretary of State website
* Election Statistics from the website of the Clerk of the United States House of Representatives

### 1996

United States House election, 1996: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Robert F. Smith | 164,062 | 61.66 |
| Democratic | Mike Dugan | 97,195 | 36.53 |
| Libertarian | Frank Wise | 4,581 | 1.72 |
| Misc. | Misc. | 218 | 0.01 |

### 1998

United States House election, 1998: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Greg Walden | 132,316 | 61.48 |
| Democratic | Kevin M. Campbell | 74,924 | 34.81 |
| Libertarian | Lindsay Bradshaw | 4,729 | 2.20 |
| Socialist | Rohn (Grandpa) Webb | 2,773 | 1.29 |
| Misc. | Misc. | 474 | 0.22 |

### 2000

United States House election, 2000: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Greg Walden (incumbent) | 220,086 | 73.63 |
| Democratic | Walter Ponsford | 78,101 | 26.13 |
| Misc. | Misc. | 720 | 0.24 |

### 2002

United States House election, 2002: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Greg Walden (incumbent) | 181,295 | 71.86 |
| Democratic | Peter Buckley | 64,991 | 25.76 |
| Libertarian | Mike Wood (American politician) | 5,681 | 2.25 |
| Misc. | Misc. | 317 | 0.13 |

### 2004

United States House election, 2004: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Greg Walden (incumbent) | 248,461 | 71.63 |
| Democratic | John C. McColgan | 88,914 | 25.63 |
| Libertarian | Jim Lindsay | 4,792 | 1.38 |
| Constitution | Jack Alan Brown, Jr. | 4,060 | 1.17 |
| Misc. | Misc. | 638 | 0.18 |

### 2006

United States House election, 2006: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Greg Walden (incumbent) | 181,529 | 66.81 |
| Democratic | Carol Voisin | 82,484 | 30.36 |
| Constitution | Jack Alan Brown, Jr. | 7,193 | 2.65 |
| Misc. | Misc. | 513 | 0.19 |

### 2008

United States House election, 2008: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Greg Walden (incumbent) | 236,560 | 69.50 |
| Democratic | Noah Lemas | 87,649 | 25.75 |
| Pacific Green | Tristan Mock | 9,668 | 2.84 |
| Constitution | Richard Hake | 5,817 | 1.71 |
| Misc. | Misc. | 685 | 0.20 |

### 2010

United States House election, 2010: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| Republican | Greg Walden (incumbent) | 206,245 | 73.91 |
| Democratic | Joyce B. Segers | 72,173 | 25.87 |
| Misc. | Misc. | 619 | 0.22 |

### 2012

United States House election, 2012: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Greg Walden (incumbent) | 228,043 | 68.63 |
| | Democratic | Joyce B. Segers | 96,741 | 29.12 |
| | Libertarian | Joe Tabor | 7,025 | 2.11 |
| | | write-ins | 446 | 0.13 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 332,255 | 100 |

### 2014

United States House election, 2014: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Greg Walden (incumbent) | 202,374 | 70.41 |
| | Democratic | Aelea Christofferson | 73,785 | 25.67 |
| | Libertarian | Sharon L. Durbin | 10,491 | 3.65 |
| | | write-ins | 775 | 0.27 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 287,425 | 100 |

### 2016

United States House election, 2016: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Greg Walden (incumbent) | 272,952 | 71.69 |
| | Democratic | James "Jim" Crary | 106,640 | 28.00 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 380,739 | 100 |

### 2018

United States House election, 2018: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% |
| | Republican | Greg Walden (incumbent) | 207,597 | 56.3 | −15.39 |
| | Democratic | Jamie McLeod-Skinner | 145,298 | 39.4 | +11.4 |
| | Independent Party | Mark Roberts | 15,536 | 4.2 | N/A |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 368,709 | 100 | |

### 2020

United States House election, 2020: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Cliff Bentz | 273,835 | 59.9 |
| | Democratic | Alex Spenser | 168,881 | 36.9 |
| | Libertarian | Robert Werch | 14,094 | 3.1 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 623 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 457,433 | 100 |

### 2022

United States House election, 2022: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Cliff Bentz (incumbent) | 208,369 | 67.5 |
| | Democratic | Joseph Yetter III | 99,882 | 32.4 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 425 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 308,676 | 100 |

### 2024

2024 United States House election: Oregon district 2 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Cliff Bentz (incumbent) | 224,601 | 63.9 |
| | Democratic | Dan Ruby | 115,337 | 32.8 |
| | Constitution | Michael Kurt Stettler | 11,255 | 3.2 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 296 | 0.1 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 351,489 | 100% |

## Major communities

Due to its large geographical area, the 2nd district contains many different communities which operate completely independently from one another socially and economically. Below is a list of the largest statistical areas in the 2nd district tracked by the United States Census Bureau.
| Core based statistical area | 2020 census |
| Medford MSA | 223,259 |
| Bend MSA | 198,253 |
| Hermiston-Pendleton MSA | 92,261 |
| Grants Pass MSA | 88,090 |
| Klamath Falls MSA | 69,413 |
| Ontario MSA | 56,957 |
| La Grande MSA | 26,196 |
| The Dalles MSA | 26,670 |
| Hood River MSA | 23,977 |

## Historical district boundaries

Prior to the 2000 United States census, most of Josephine County was part of the district. After the 2010 United States census, the district boundaries were changed slightly to move some parts of Grants Pass from the 2nd to the 4th district.