McHaddad: Ain’t Never Had a Friend Like Bentz

Supporting Cliff Bentz for Congress when he announced in 2020 was a no-brainer, and it remains an easy choice to this day. When I originally articulated my support that year, I discussed four reasons I was voting for Cliff. His time as a citizen legislator guaranteed realism in policymaking. He is a relationship-builder whose network of supporters suggested that he would do well as a federal lawmaker. He held his ground as a member of the Oregon 11 who killed cap-and-trade. And lastly, I had gotten to know him in 2019 when we worked together to adopt regional telecommunications legislation that unanimously passed in the Oregon Senate. It comes as no surprise to me in the last 6 years that Cliff is the Congressman I knew he would be. He has maintained the realism of a citizen legislator as he fights for rural Oregon. His relationships have helped provide Elgin with premiere constituent services in Washington. Through two administrations and time in the majority and minority, he has held his ground for eastern Oregon. Lastly, he has maintained relationships throughout the District, meeting with me and Elgin community members several times in the past two years to discuss rural issues. Eastern Oregon, you ain’t never had a friend like Bentz. I hope he continues representing us for a good long while!