Ontario Rep. Cliff Bentz picked to fill Senate seat

A veteran member of the Oregon House from Eastern Oregon is moving to the Oregon Senate, to fill a vacant seat for a far-flung district that is the largest in the state.

Rep. Cliff Bentz, R-Ontario, was appointed Thursday in a vote of Baker, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lake and Wasco county commissioners and the Grant, Harney, Malheur and Wheeler county courts to represent Senate District 30.

Bentz will fill the remainder of former Senator Ted Ferrioli’s term in office. The John Day Republican resigned after being appointed to the Northwest Power & Conservation Council by Governor Kate Brown.

“The Senate Republicans are excited to welcome Rep. Bentz to our caucus,” said Senator Jackie Winters, R-Salem. “Rep. Bentz will be a tremendous addition to our team, and I look forward to working with him in the sessions to come.”

Bentz has served in the Oregon House since 2008 and is a rancher, farmer,and attorney.

Senate District 30 includes all or part of Baker, Deschutes, Jefferson, Lake, Wasco, Grant, Harney, Malheur, Wheeler, Clackamas and Marion counties. It is the largest Senate district in the state.