Where is Rep. Cliff Bentz?

U.S. Sen.Jeff Merkley, a Democrat, recently held town halls in deeply red Jackson and Josephine counties. Rep. Cliff Bentz, a deep red Republican who won reelection with 64% of the vote in 2024, is missing in action.

Our congressman hasn’t been seen locally in months in what should be friendly territory, while our senator visits on a regular basis despite having lost the Rogue Valley in his last 2020 reelection. It is more than time for Congressman Bentz to show enough backbone to speak locally, in person, about the clear concerns we have about cuts to Social Security, Medicare, Department of Agriculture programs, wildfire preparation and mitigation, and other federal spending.

We don’t need someone in Congress who is afraid to talk to his constituents in person. We need an advocate and defender.

Fred Gehbart / Gold Hill