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Oregon's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020 (May 19 Republican primary)

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2022
2018
Oregon's 2nd Congressional District
Ballotpedia Election Coverage Badge.png
Democratic primary
Republican primary
General election
Election details
Filing deadline: March 10, 2020
Primary: May 19, 2020
General: November 3, 2020

Pre-election incumbent:
Greg Walden (Republican)
How to vote
Poll times: No polling hours (vote-by-mail)
Voting in Oregon
Race ratings
Cook Political Report: Solid Republican
Inside Elections: Solid Republican
Sabato's Crystal Ball: Safe Republican
Ballotpedia analysis
U.S. Senate battlegrounds
U.S. House battlegrounds
Federal and state primary competitiveness
Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2020
See also
Oregon's 2nd Congressional District
U.S. Senate1st2nd3rd4th5th
Oregon elections, 2020
U.S. Congress elections, 2020
U.S. Senate elections, 2020
U.S. House elections, 2020

On May 19, 2020, Cliff Bentz advanced from the Republican primary to the general election for Oregon's 2nd Congressional District, defeating 10 other primary candidates. Four candidates led the primary field in fundraising and media coverage: Jason Atkinson, Cliff Bentz, Knute Buehler, and Jimmy Crumpacker.[2][3] Incumbent Greg Walden (R) announced he would not seek re-election in 2020, leaving the district open.[4]

Ballotpedia identified this race as a battleground due to the competitiveness of fundraising and messaging differences between candidates. For a compilation of candidate key messages, click here. To view campaign ads launched by candidates in the race, click here.

In the 2018 general election, Walden (R) defeated Jamie McLeod-Skinner (D) 56% to 39%, and he defeated Jim Crary (D) 72% to 28% in 2016. The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+11, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Republican than the national average.[5] Click here to learn more about what was at stake in the general election.

This page focuses on Oregon's 2nd Congressional District Republican primary. For more in-depth information on the district's Democratic primary and the general election, see the following pages:

Election procedure changes in 2020

See also: Changes to election dates, procedures, and administration in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, 2020

Ballotpedia provided comprehensive coverage of how election dates and procedures changed in 2020. While the majority of changes occurred as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, some changes occurred for other reasons.

Oregon made no changes to its primary election.

For a full timeline about election modifications made in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, click here.


Candidates and election results

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Oregon District 2

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Cliff Bentz
Cliff Bentz
 
31.3
 
37,488
Image of Knute Buehler
Knute Buehler
 
22.1
 
26,405
Image of Jason Atkinson
Jason Atkinson
 
19.5
 
23,274
Image of Jimmy Crumpacker
Jimmy Crumpacker
 
18.0
 
21,507
Image of Travis Fager
Travis Fager Candidate Connection
 
3.6
 
4,265
Image of Jeff Smith
Jeff Smith Candidate Connection
 
2.1
 
2,539
Justin Livingston
 
1.1
 
1,350
Image of Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts Candidate Connection
 
1.1
 
1,336
Image of David Campbell
David Campbell Candidate Connection
 
0.3
 
418
Image of Glenn Carey
Glenn Carey
 
0.2
 
283
Image of Kenneth Medenbach
Kenneth Medenbach Candidate Connection
 
0.2
 
267
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.4
 
450

Total votes: 119,582
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles created in one of two ways. Either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey or Ballotpedia staff created a profile after identifying the candidate as noteworthy.[6] Ballotpedia staff compiled profiles based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements.

Image of Jason Atkinson

WebsiteFacebookTwitter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: Oregon State Senate (2000-2013), Oregon House of Representatives (1998-2000)

Biography:  Atkinson received a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Southern Oregon University in 1992 and a master's degree in business administration and public administration from Willamette University in 1997. At the time of the election, Atkinson owned a business consulting firm that he founded. He was also an Oregon gubernatorial candidate in 2006.



Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.


Atkinson said he would oppose taxes and that he was "the only candidate in the race to vote against every single tax increase brought before the legislature while he served."


Atkinson said he didn't think the government should decide what guns people could own. He said he was "the only candidate who has received an A+ rating from the NRA."


In an ad, Atkinson criticized his opponents, saying, "In our own party we have Republicans who will say anything to fool you, hoping you'll forget that just months ago they voted to increase gas taxes and hospital taxes. Just a few weeks ago, they were against the president, against the Second Amendment, and that they came out against the unborn. Don't let them fool you. I am what I've always been: a conservative."


Show sources

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Oregon District 2 in 2020.

Image of Cliff Bentz

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Oregon State Senate (2018-2020), Oregon House of Representatives (2008-2018), Ontario School Board (2005-2008), Oregon Water Resources Commission (1988-1996)

Biography:  Bentz received a bachelor's degree in history from Eastern Oregon College in 1974 and a degree from Lewis and Clarke Law School in 1977. After finishing law school, he joined the firm of Yturri, O’Kief, Rose, and Burnham, where, as of the 2020 election cycle, he continued to work part-time as a senior partner.



Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.


Bentz said he supported gun ownership and that he "always voted to protect our Second Amendment rights. It doesn’t matter whether you are working on a ranch or strolling through downtown Portland, you have the right to defend yourself."


Bentz said he would support President Donald Trump to help America's economy recover from the coronavirus pandemic. He said, "I am looking forward to joining President Trump in Washington DC next year to help advance a pro-job, pro Oregon, pro-America agenda, while rebuilding our damaged economy."


Bentz said, "I have always been pro-life. The value of life has been instilled in me through my Catholic faith, my experience as a rancher, a lawyer, a father and a husband."


Show sources

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Oregon District 2 in 2020.

Image of Knute Buehler

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: 

Oregon House of Representatives (2015-2019)

Biography:  Buehler received a bachelor's degree in microbiology from Oregon State University, a master's degree in politics and economy from Oxford University, and an M.D. from Johns Hopkins University. At the time of the 2020 election cycle, Buehler had worked as a surgeon throughout his career and managed a medical clinic. Buehler was a candidate for governor of Oregon in 2018.



Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.


Buehler's campaign website said he would oppose new taxes and repeal regulations that he said harm small businesses and jobs in farming, ranching, and timber.


Buehler said he would "stand with President Trump to secure the border and combat illegal immigration." He also said he would support cutting federal funding to sanctuary cities.


On abortion, Buehler said he "respects and maintains an open door to people of conscience on both sides of this deeply personal issue," but said he would "oppose federal funding to Planned Parenthood, vote to preserve the Hyde Amendment that bans federal tax dollars from being spent on abortion, and vote against bills to expand late-term and after-birth abortions."


Show sources

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Oregon District 2 in 2020.

Image of David Campbell

WebsiteTwitter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "I was born and raised in Southern California. I moved to Oregon 4 years ago and haven't looked back. I am a father of a beautiful daughter, Alexis. I am a Navy veteran of six years, a cancer survivor and a career problem solver. I have been a corporate merchant for a Fortune 50 company and supply chain manager for multiple companies.I have managed large-scale telecommunications projects in Southern California."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


I'm here to promote change and grow business and education


I am forward-thinking and have an eye on the Country's and Oregon's future economy


We need to remove career politicians

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Oregon District 2 in 2020.

Image of Jimmy Crumpacker

WebsiteFacebookTwitterYouTube

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography:  Crumpacker received a bachelor's degree in government from Georgetown University. After graduating, he worked for American Insurance Group before joining First New York Securities as an energy investor. Crumpacker returned to Oregon to found an asset management firm.



Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.


Crumpacker emphasized his business experience. His campaign website said he would "bring his proven business and private sector skills to Washington to help continue growing our economy, creating good paying jobs for Rural Oregonians and work to cut the size and scope of government."


Crumpacker said he would "stand with President Trump to defend our values, continue growing our economy and fight for the forgotten people of Oregon’s 2nd District."


Crumpacker said he would "protect the sanctity of life and defend the 2nd amendment with unwavering resolve."


Show sources

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Oregon District 2 in 2020.

Image of Travis Fager

WebsiteFacebook

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "I am Travis Fager, a working class 'career commoner'... not another career politician looking for an upgrade. I am a well-rounded candidate with relevant, real world and professional experience. I am a lifetime resident of Oregon who appreciates the people and the diversity of this state. I am a husband of 27 years, a father of three, and a grateful participant of the American Dream. I entered into politics because of my concern about the current condition and trajectory of District 2 and the country. I grew up in a rural setting on a ranch, where I learned to work hard and put more trust in God than the government. As such, I always worked a job throughout my entire youth-manual labor, farming, construction, commercial fishing and wildland firefighting. I worked my way through college, and graduated with a business degree from Eastern Oregon University. In my professional life of sales, management, distribution and commercial broadcast radio, I've traveled extensively across this nation, state and our amazingly diversified District 2 of Oregon, meeting with common folks, sharing experiences, doing business, life and pursuing the American Dream. I value all that Oregon has to offer I enjoy frequent trips to the mountains of Eastern Oregon, the trails and the rivers of Central Oregon, the Willamette Valley, Portland and frequent Oregon Coast visits. "


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


The time for a course correction in Congress is now. The current trajectory is leading us away from liberty.


We need to return to the core set of values that made this country great. Including the honoring of the sanctity of life, at all stages.


Many people believe politicians have lost touch with reality and the average citizen. Especially members of the hard working middle class, they feel overlooked and underrepresented.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Oregon District 2 in 2020.

Image of Kenneth Medenbach

FacebookTwitter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "I moved from the Oregon, Willamette Valley to Central Oregon in 1989. I'm 66 and now live in Crescent. I'm a wood carver, log furniture builder, log sign maker and log cabin builder. I'm running for Greg Walden's position in the House of Representatives for Oregon Second Congressional District, Greg is retiring. I've been battling the government for 30 years through the courts. Only to find the courts are corrupt. Now I feel called to a new battlefield, "CONGRESS." I was tenacious in all my court trials, I'll be tenacious in Congress. Soo, this is what I stand for; Pro Constitution Pro 2nd Amendment Strong military Take care of veterans Pro life Elected delegates to interpret the Constitution, not the Supreme Court Cede federal lands to the States Open sustainable logging Open more mining Lawful immigration Build the wall Protect farmers and ranchers Keep government out of marriage Pro Trump"


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


Make the Judiciary support the constitution.


Make Congress support the constitution


Elect delegates to interpret the constitution

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Oregon District 2 in 2020.

Image of Mark Roberts

WebsiteTwitter

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "I was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. When I was young there was never a family that didn't have a father, everyone owned their home, no one needed public assistance, families went on vacations and kids went to college after high school. Poverty, drugs and crime did not exist. I moved to Medford in 2010, and never looked back. If I travel North or South, the first sign of a brake light or a taxed cup of coffee makes me want to come home to Jackson County but what I considered living like a king came with a cost that we all know and see everyday. I value everything that makes our District special: the uniquely independent spirit of our community, beautiful environment, extraordinary forest land, and even the untapped opportunity. I'm running for Congress because I know what makes this district special and I know the answers to end our economic woes. The 2nd District is blessed with abundant resources, but the Federal Government has an out-sized role in our lives. It's time for your federal representative(s) to start representing their constituency so the state government no longer has the only option other than to tax you into poverty. There has to be a balance between conserving our environment and ensuring that commerce can prosper. With those fundamentals in balance, jobs, education, and opportunity will follow. That system worked for decades, and I know it can work again for all of us. We need someone in Washington who will be a strong advocate."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


The Federal Land Management System works if we have a powerful advocate on our side. I am running for Congress to be that advocate.


I want the people of my congressional district to prosper financially the same way the rest of the state and country are currently prospering.


I want you to be proud of your state and federal government.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Oregon District 2 in 2020.

Image of Jeff Smith

WebsiteFacebook

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography "Jeff Smith - The Bold Republican you need in congress! I grew up on a cattle ranch north of Elgin, Oregon. I went Oregon Institute of Technology in Klamath Falls, and since then I spent most of my adult life in the aerospace industry. I have seen the hollowing out of the middle class in Oregon, and I want to bring back jobs. Protect Social Security, lower Medical Care Costs, Pro-Life, Pro- Business, Pro- Agriculture, Pro - Logging, Pro-Trump - President Trump has done an out standing job of getting the economy going, appointing great Supreme Court Justices, building the wall, and slashing regulations. Pro- Life - Jeff Smith believes that life is a gift from God, and that humane life begins at conception. Because of that, Jeff Smith is opposed to legalized abortion. He is also opposed to funding for Planned Parenthood."


Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.


Lower Health Care Costs


Protect Social Security


Bring back family wages jobs to Oregon.

This information was current as of the candidate's run for U.S. House Oregon District 2 in 2020.


Endorsements

This section lists endorsements issued in this election. If you are aware of endorsements that should be included, please email us.


Jason Atkinson

  • The Oregonian[7]

Cliff Bentz

  • Former Congressman Bob Smith[8]

Jimmy Crumpacker

  • Oregon Right to Life[9]


Campaign advertisements

This section shows advertisements released in this race. Ads released by campaigns and, if applicable, satellite groups are embedded or linked below. If you are aware of advertisements that should be included, please email us.

Jason Atkinson

"Ignore The Noise" - Atkinson campaign ad, released May 14, 2020
"Don't Tax GAS" - Atkinson campaign ad, released May 14, 2020
"Shoveling" - Atkinson campaign ad, released May 14, 2020
"Actually" - Atkinson campaign ad, released May 14, 2020
"Mud Wrestling" - Atkinson campaign ad, released April 27, 2020
"Back Outside" - Atkinson campaign ad, released April 16, 2020
"Bigfoot" - Atkinson campaign ad, released April 16, 2020
"Dave Turin Endorses Jason" - Atkinson campaign ad, released April 15, 2020
"Conservative Linda" - Atkinson campaign ad, released April 15, 2020
"Jason Atkinson's Testimony" - Atkinson campaign ad, released March 11, 2020
"Jason Atkinson Opening Statement" - Atkinson campaign ad, released March 11, 2020
"Tana Goertz Jason Atkinson Interview" - Atkinson campaign ad, released February 28, 2020
"Jason Atkinson - Conversation on the Klamath" - Atkinson campaign ad, released February 28, 2020


Cliff Bentz

"Home" - Bentz campaign ad, released March 31, 2020
"Walk" - Bentz campaign ad, released March 31, 2020


Knute Buehler

Supporting Buehler

"Stand" - Buehler campaign ad, released April 21, 2020
"Our Values" - Buehler campaign ad, released March 30, 2020
"Values" - Buehler campaign ad, released March 30, 2020
"Knute for Congress" - Buehler campaign ad, released December 19, 2019

Opposing Crumpacker

"Pretenders" - Buehler campaign ad, released April 21, 2020


Jimmy Crumpacker

Supporting Crumpacker

"The Trumpbacker" - Crumpacker campaign ad, released May 5, 2020
"Rally" - Crumpacker campaign ad, released April 24, 2020
"A Man's word is everything" - Crumpacker campaign ad, released April 14, 2020
"Whatever You Say" - Crumpacker campaign ad, released April 5, 2020
"Sound Guy" - Crumpacker campaign ad, released March 18, 2020
"Jimmy Crumpacker for Congress - Announcement" - Crumpacker campaign ad, released January 13, 2020

Against opponents

"Never Trumpers" - Crumpacker campaign ad, released May 7, 2020


Polls

See also: Ballotpedia's approach to covering polls

If you are aware of polls conducted in this race, please email us.


Campaign finance

This section contains campaign finance figures from the Federal Election Commission covering all candidate fundraising and spending in this election.[10] It does not include information on fundraising before the current campaign cycle or on spending by satellite groups. The numbers in this section are updated as candidates file new campaign finance reports. Candidates for Congress are required to file financial reports on a quarterly basis, as well as two weeks before any primary, runoff, or general election in which they will be on the ballot and upon the termination of any campaign committees.[11] The chart below contains data from financial reports submitted to the Federal Election Commission.

Name Party Receipts* Disbursements** Cash on hand Date
Jason Atkinson Republican Party $301,114 $312,843 $-11,729 As of September 30, 2020
Cliff Bentz Republican Party $1,452,634 $1,363,581 $89,054 As of December 31, 2020
Knute Buehler Republican Party $1,599,076 $1,595,465 $3,611 As of December 31, 2020
David Campbell Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Glenn Carey Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Jimmy Crumpacker Republican Party $998,842 $998,842 $0 As of November 20, 2020
Travis Fager Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Justin Livingston Republican Party $8,885 $8,905 $80 As of June 30, 2020
Kenneth Medenbach Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Mark Roberts Republican Party $0 $0 $0 Data not available***
Jeff Smith Republican Party $30,964 $41,966 $-12,002 As of May 27, 2020

Source: Federal Elections Commission, "Campaign finance data," 2020. This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).

* According to the FEC, "Receipts are anything of value (money, goods, services or property) received by a political committee."
** According to the FEC, a disbursement "is a purchase, payment, distribution, loan, advance, deposit or gift of money or anything of value to influence a federal election," plus other kinds of payments not made to influence a federal election.
*** Candidate either did not report any receipts or disbursements to the FEC, or Ballotpedia did not find an FEC candidate ID.


As of April 2020, the following candidates had self-funded portions of their campaigns:

  • Crumpacker loaned his campaign $200,000
  • Bentz loaned his campaign $100,000

Satellite spending

Satellite spending, commonly referred to as outside spending, describes political spending not controlled by candidates or their campaigns; that is, any political expenditures made by groups or individuals that are not directly affiliated with a candidate. This includes spending by political party committees, super PACs, trade associations, and 501(c)(4) nonprofit groups.[12][13][14]

This section lists satellite spending in this race reported by news outlets in alphabetical order. If you are aware of spending that should be included, please email us.


Primaries in Oregon

A primary election is an election in which registered voters select a candidate that they believe should be a political party's candidate for elected office to run in the general election. They are also used to choose convention delegates and party leaders. Primaries are state-level and local-level elections that take place prior to a general election. Oregon generally utilizes a closed primary process. The selection of a party's candidates in an election is limited to registered party members for presidential and legislative elections.[15][16]

For information about which offices are nominated via primary election, see this article.

What was at stake in the general election

U.S. House elections were held on November 3, 2020, and coincided with the 2020 presidential election. All 435 House districts were up for election, and the results determined control of the U.S. House in the 117th Congress.

At the time of the election, Democrats had a 232-197 advantage over Republicans. There was one Libertarian member, and there were five vacancies. Republicans needed to gain a net 21 seats to win control of the House. Democrats needed to gain seats or lose fewer than 14 net seats to keep their majority.

In the 2018 midterm election, Democrats had a net gain of 40 seats, winning a 235-200 majority in the House. Heading into the 2018 election, Republicans had a 235-193 majority with seven vacancies.

In the 25 previous House elections that coincided with a presidential election, the president's party had gained House seats in 16 elections and lost seats in nine. In years where the president's party won districts, the average gain was 18. In years where the president's party lost districts, the average loss was 27. Click here for more information on presidential partisanship and down-ballot outcomes.


General election race ratings

See also: Race rating definitions and methods

Ballotpedia provides race ratings from four outlets: The Cook Political Report, Inside Elections, Sabato's Crystal Ball, and DDHQ/The Hill. Each race rating indicates if one party is perceived to have an advantage in the race and, if so, the degree of advantage:

  • Safe and Solid ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge and the race is not competitive.
  • Likely ratings indicate that one party has a clear edge, but an upset is possible.
  • Lean ratings indicate that one party has a small edge, but the race is competitive.[17]
  • Toss-up ratings indicate that neither party has an advantage.

Race ratings are informed by a number of factors, including polling, candidate quality, and election result history in the race's district or state.[18][19][20]

Race ratings: Oregon's 2nd Congressional District election, 2020
Race trackerRace ratings
November 3, 2020October 27, 2020October 20, 2020October 13, 2020
The Cook Political ReportSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Inside Elections with Nathan L. GonzalesSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid RepublicanSolid Republican
Larry J. Sabato's Crystal BallSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe RepublicanSafe Republican
Note: Ballotpedia updates external race ratings every week throughout the election season.

District analysis

See also: The Cook Political Report's Partisan Voter Index
See also: FiveThirtyEight's elasticity scores

The 2017 Cook Partisan Voter Index for this district was R+11, meaning that in the previous two presidential elections, this district's results were 11 percentage points more Republican than the national average. This made Oregon's 2nd Congressional District the 120th most Republican nationally.[21]

FiveThirtyEight's September 2018 elasticity score for states and congressional districts measured "how sensitive it is to changes in the national political environment." This district's elasticity score was 1.15. This means that for every 1 point the national political mood moved toward a party, the district was expected to move 1.15 points toward that party.[22]

Pivot Counties

See also: Pivot Counties by state

Two of 36 Oregon counties—5.6 percent—are Pivot Counties. Pivot Counties are counties that voted for Barack Obama (D) in 2008 and 2012 and for Donald Trump (R) in 2016. Altogether, the nation had 206 Pivot Counties, with most being concentrated in upper midwestern and northeastern states.

Counties won by Trump in 2016 and Obama in 2012 and 2008
County Trump margin of victory in 2016 Obama margin of victory in 2012 Obama margin of victory in 2008
Columbia County, Oregon 11.46% 5.16% 12.02%
Tillamook County, Oregon 5.58% 4.86% 9.89%

In the 2016 presidential election, Hillary Clinton (D) won Oregon with 50.1 percent of the vote. Donald Trump (R) received 39.1 percent. In presidential elections between 1900 and 2016, Oregon cast votes for the winning presidential candidate 73.3 percent of the time. In that same time frame, Oregon supported Republican candidates for president more often than Democratic candidates, 56.7 to 43.3 percent. The state, however, favored Democrats in every election between between 2000 and 2016.

Presidential results by legislative district

The following table details results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections by state House districts in Oregon. Click [show] to expand the table. The "Obama," "Romney," "Clinton," and "Trump" columns describe the percent of the vote each presidential candidate received in the district. The "2012 Margin" and "2016 Margin" columns describe the margin of victory between the two presidential candidates in those years. The "Party Control" column notes which party held that seat heading into the 2018 general election. Data on the results of the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections broken down by state legislative districts was compiled by Daily Kos.[23][24]

In 2012, Barack Obama (D) won 39 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 26.9 points. In 2016, Hillary Clinton (D) won 36 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 31.6 points. Clinton won four districts controlled by Republicans heading into the 2018 elections.
In 2012, Mitt Romney (R) won 21 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 20.3 points. In 2016, Donald Trump (R) won 24 out of 60 state House districts in Oregon with an average margin of victory of 24 points. Trump won three districts controlled by Democrats heading into the 2018 elections.


Candidate ballot access

The table below details filing requirements for 2nd Congressional District candidates in Oregon in the 2020 election cycle. For additional information on candidate ballot access requirements in Oregon, click here.

Filing requirements, 2020
State Office Party Signatures required Signature formula Filing fee Filing fee formula Filing deadline Source
Oregon 2nd Congressional District Major party 0 N/A $100.00 Fixed number 3/10/2020 Source
Oregon 2nd Congressional District Unaffiliated 4,050 1% of votes cast in the district for president N/A N/A 8/25/2020 Source

District election history

2018

See also: Oregon's 2nd Congressional District election, 2018

General election

General election for U.S. House Oregon District 2

Incumbent Greg Walden defeated Jamie McLeod-Skinner and Mark Roberts in the general election for U.S. House Oregon District 2 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Greg Walden
Greg Walden (R)
 
56.3
 
207,597
Image of Jamie McLeod-Skinner
Jamie McLeod-Skinner (D)
 
39.4
 
145,298
Image of Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts (Independent Party of Oregon) Candidate Connection
 
4.2
 
15,536
 Other/Write-in votes
 
0.1
 
278

Total votes: 368,709
(100.00% precincts reporting)
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for U.S. House Oregon District 2

The following candidates ran in the Democratic primary for U.S. House Oregon District 2 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Jamie McLeod-Skinner
Jamie McLeod-Skinner
 
43.7
 
25,351
Image of Jennifer Neahring
Jennifer Neahring
 
24.2
 
14,020
Image of Jim Crary
Jim Crary
 
11.7
 
6,774
Image of Timothy White
Timothy White
 
6.0
 
3,469
Image of Raz Mason
Raz Mason
 
5.4
 
3,137
Image of Eric Burnette
Eric Burnette
 
4.7
 
2,734
Image of Michael Byrne
Michael Byrne
 
4.4
 
2,546

Total votes: 58,031
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

Republican primary election

Republican primary for U.S. House Oregon District 2

Incumbent Greg Walden defeated Paul Romero and Randy Pollock in the Republican primary for U.S. House Oregon District 2 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Greg Walden
Greg Walden
 
77.6
 
71,543
Image of Paul Romero
Paul Romero
 
16.5
 
15,181
Randy Pollock
 
6.0
 
5,514

Total votes: 92,238
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.

Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Independent Party of Oregon primary election

Independent Party of Oregon primary for U.S. House Oregon District 2

Mark Roberts advanced from the Independent Party of Oregon primary for U.S. House Oregon District 2 on May 15, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Mark Roberts
Mark Roberts Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
3,441

Total votes: 3,441
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also: Oregon's 2nd Congressional District election, 2016

Heading into the election, Ballotpedia rated this race as safely Republican. Incumbent Greg Walden (R) defeated Jim Crary (D) in the general election on November 8, 2016. Walden defeated Paul Romero in the Republican primary on May 17, 2016.[25][26]

U.S. House, Oregon District 2 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngGreg Walden Incumbent 71.7% 272,952
     Democratic Jim Crary 28% 106,640
     N/A Misc. 0.3% 1,147
Total Votes 380,739
Source: Oregon Secretary of State


U.S. House, Oregon District 2 Republican Primary, 2016
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngGreg Walden Incumbent 80.1% 85,039
Paul Romero 19.9% 21,099
Total Votes 106,138
Source: Oregon Secretary of State

State profile

See also: Oregon and Oregon elections, 2020
USA Oregon location map.svg

Partisan data

The information in this section was current as of April 23, 2020.

Presidential voting pattern

Congressional delegation

State executives

  • Democrats held three and a Republican held one of Oregon's 13 state executive offices. Elections for the other offices are nonpartisan.
  • Oregon's governor was Democrat Kate Brown.

State legislature

Oregon Party Control: 1992-2025
Seventeen years of Democratic trifectas  •  No Republican trifectas
Scroll left and right on the table below to view more years.

Year 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25
Governor D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
Senate D D D R R R R R R R R S S D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
House R R R R R R R R R R R R R R R D D D D S S D D D D D D D D D D D D D

Oregon quick stats
  • Became a state in 1859
  • 33rd state admitted to the United States
  • Oregon is home to the single largest organism in the world.
  • Members of the Oregon State Senate: 30
  • Members of the Oregon House of Representatives: 60
  • U.S. senators: 2
  • U.S. representatives: 5

More Oregon coverage on Ballotpedia:


Demographic data for Oregon
 OregonU.S.
Total population:4,024,634316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):95,9883,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:85.1%73.6%
Black/African American:1.8%12.6%
Asian:4%5.1%
Native American:1.2%0.8%
Pacific Islander:0.4%0.2%
Two or more:4.1%3%
Hispanic/Latino:12.3%17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:89.8%86.7%
College graduation rate:30.8%29.8%
Income
Median household income:$51,243$53,889
Persons below poverty level:18.4%11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015)
Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Oregon.
**Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.


See also

External links

Footnotes

  1. 1.0 1.1 Oregon is a vote-by-mail state. Polling hours apply to vote centers where individuals can instead vote in person.
  2. OPB, "District Newcomer Crumpacker Raises Big Money In Race To Replace Walden," accessed March 31, 2020
  3. Washington Times, "'Tolerance alive and well in Oregon': Vandals destroy GOP candidate's pro-Trump sign," accessed March 31, 2020
  4. Politico, "Greg Walden to retire in latest sign of GOP doubts about retaking House," October 28, 2019
  5. Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  6. Candidate Connection surveys completed before September 26, 2019, were not used to generate candidate profiles. In battleground primaries, Ballotpedia based its selection of noteworthy candidates on polling, fundraising, and noteworthy endorsements. In battleground general elections, all major party candidates and any other candidates with the potential to impact the outcome of the race were included.
  7. The Oregonian, "Editorial endorsement: Voters should pick Jason Atkinson, Nik Heuertz in primaries for Congress," accessed May 5, 2020
  8. Facebook, "Cliff Bentz 2020 campaign," accessed April 27, 2020
  9. Facebook, "Jimmy Crumpacker 2020 campaign," accessed April 27, 2020
  10. Fundraising by primary candidates can be found on the race's respective primary election page. Fundraising by general election candidates can be found on the race's general election page.
  11. Federal Election Commission, "2022 Quarterly Reports," accessed March 2, 2022
  12. OpenSecrets.org, "Outside Spending," accessed September 22, 2015
  13. OpenSecrets.org, "Total Outside Spending by Election Cycle, All Groups," accessed September 22, 2015
  14. National Review.com, "Why the Media Hate Super PACs," November 6, 2015
  15. National Conference of State Legislatures,"State Primary Election Types," accessed October 4, 2024
  16. Oregon Secretary of State,"Frequently Asked Questions," accessed October 4, 2024
  17. Inside Elections also uses Tilt ratings to indicate an even smaller advantage and greater competitiveness.
  18. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Nathan Gonzalez," April 19, 2018
  19. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Kyle Kondik," April 19, 2018
  20. Amee LaTour, "Email correspondence with Charlie Cook," April 22, 2018
  21. Cook Political Report, "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index," April 7, 2017
  22. FiveThirtyEight, "Election Update: The Most (And Least) Elastic States And Districts," September 6, 2018
  23. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' statewide election results by congressional and legislative districts," July 9, 2013
  24. Daily Kos, "Daily Kos Elections' 2016 presidential results for congressional and legislative districts," February 6, 2017
  25. Oregon Secretary of State, "Candidate filings search results," accessed March 9, 2016
  26. The New York Times, "Oregon Primary Results," May 17, 2016


Senators
Representatives
District 1
District 2
District 3
District 4
Val Hoyle (D)
District 5
District 6
Democratic Party (7)
Republican Party (1)