Six Democrats vie to challenge Bentz at Pendleton forum

Campaign finance and government corruption were the sharpest fault lines as six Democrats seeking to challenge U.S. Rep. Cliff Bentz met in Pendleton, a race that could shape who speaks for Baker County and the rest of Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District in Washington. About 45 community members gathered Monday evening, April 20, at Blue Mountain Community College for a 90-minute forum hosted by the Umatilla County Democrats. Chris Beck, Dawn Rasmussen and Patty Snow attended in person, while Mary Doyle, Rebecca Mueller and Peter Quince joined virtually.

For voters in Baker City and other far-flung parts of the district, the central question is whether Bentz has used his leverage to deliver for the region or to build a campaign war chest. Federal Election Commission data show Bentz’s campaign committee raised $619,784.65 in 2025 and finished the year with $1,307,719.33 cash on hand. OpenSecrets reported that his 2023-24 campaign cycle drew $562,409 in PAC money from 363 contributions. In a district that stretches 72,158.8 square miles and includes 704,768 people, that money matters because the next member of Congress will have to answer to communities separated by long drives, sparse transit and different economic pressures from Baker City to Umatilla County.

The clearest policy contrast came from Patty Snow of Phoenix, who said she wants to restore Oregon’s 6% provider tax. Under the Republican-backed federal legislation known as HR-1, that tax is slated to fall to 3.5% by 2032, and Oregon officials estimate the change would cost the state $12 billion over 10 years. Snow said Bentz initially opposed the cut on the House floor but later voted for the bill after it passed the Senate. Mary Doyle of Bend said Bentz has not done enough for Umatilla County on irrigation and water rights and pointed to farmer suicide as a serious issue. Peter Quince of Ashland called Bentz ineffective and said the district should become a solar and wind energy powerhouse. Dawn Rasmussen of The Dalles said she is keeping track of districts and needs so she can bring money into the region.

The district has been in Republican hands since 1980, and Democrats came closest in 2018, when Jamie McLeod-Skinner won 39.4% of the vote. Bentz’s ties to constituents have also been part of the fight. Earlier reporting said he had not held an in-person town hall in Southern Oregon for more than a year and a half before holding public town halls in Baker City, La Grande, Pendleton and Boardman in February 2025, then shifting to virtual forums. With the Democratic primary set for May 19 and the general election on November 3, the Pendleton forum gave Eastern Oregon voters a real test of whether any challenger can turn frustration over money, access and rural neglect into a credible case against an entrenched incumbent.