In a candid interview, Russ McAlmond, a Republican candidate vying for Oregon’s 2nd Congressional District seat, laid out his vision for representing the vast district, which spans from the southwest corner of Oregon in Josephine County to the northeastern reaches of the state.
McAlmond, a U.S. Marine veteran and retired financial professional, is mounting a primary challenge against incumbent Rep. Cliff Bentz, whom he accuses of being unresponsive, passive, and insufficiently supportive of conservative values. Drawing from his personal background and policy expertise, McAlmond positions himself as a “fighter” ready to shake up the status quo.
What Sparked the Run: Frustration with the Incumbent
McAlmond’s decision to enter the race stems from deep dissatisfaction with Bentz’s performance over his terms in office. “I voted for him each time that he ran,” McAlmond admitted, “but I have not heard anything from Cliff. I don’t get any communications from his office.”
He highlighted complaints from constituents who reached out to Bentz’s office without a response, forcing them to turn to Democratic Sen. Ron Wyden for help. “That’s been my experience with him and his office—you just don’t hear anything from him,” McAlmond said.
He criticized Bentz for lacking visibility and activism, contrasting him with high-profile House members like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez or Rep. Ilhan Omar. McAlmond pointed to Bentz’s cancellation of in-person town halls after facing pushback from Democrats as “unacceptable,” arguing that engaging constituents directly is a core duty.
A pivotal issue for McAlmond was Bentz’s stance during the 2020 Portland riots. He accused Bentz of undermining then-President Donald Trump by agreeing with Democrats like Gov. Tina Kotek and Sen. Wyden that Portland was not a “war zone,” despite Trump’s push for National Guard deployment. “If we’re going to have one Republican represent all Republicans in the state of Oregon,” McAlmond said, “he needs to step up and support Trump 100%.”
From the Marines to Finance to Politics
McAlmond brings a diverse résumé to his campaign. A U.S. Marine veteran with an honorable discharge after three years of active service—including a 15-month overseas deployment as a weapons instructor—he emphasizes his edge on veterans’ issues.
After his military service, McAlmond spent over 40 years in Portland working in banking and later founding Evergreen Capital Management, which he eventually sold and merged with another firm. Holding an MBA and certification as a financial planner, he claims superior knowledge of fiscal matters.
McAlmond moved to Josephine County in 2018, drawn by family ties—his wife is a Grants Pass High School graduate. He previously ran in a Washington County state House primary and later for Josephine County commissioner, where he received about 3,000 votes.
Policy Priorities: Finance, DEI, and Ethical Individualism
On federal finances, McAlmond positions himself as a fiscal conservative. “I’m a certified financial planner; I understand the impact of taxes,” he said, pledging to scrutinize budgets and advocate for tax measures that benefit Oregonians. Addressing the nation’s $34 trillion debt, he supports balanced budgets except in extraordinary circumstances like wartime.
A standout issue for McAlmond is Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which he views as a “secular moral system” that creates discriminatory hierarchies based on identity groups. He authored the book Ethical Individualism: A Human Relational Philosophy, published in 2021, which promotes judging people as individuals rather than by group identity.
He encourages the Republican Party to adopt this “ethical individualism” as part of its platform, calling it a necessary antidote to DEI and a way to humanize the GOP.
Activism and State Involvement
McAlmond vows to be an “activist conservative,” contrasting with what he describes as Bentz’s bureaucratic approach. As Oregon’s sole Republican in Congress, he intends to represent all Republicans in the state and weigh in on state-level issues from Washington, D.C.
He criticized Oregon’s tax policies and what he views as misplaced budget priorities, particularly funding for healthcare for undocumented immigrants. McAlmond also distanced himself from state Rep. Dwayne Yunker, supporting conservative causes but condemning divisive rhetoric, such as Yunker’s past comments about drag performers.
Promises to Voters: Term Limits and Responsiveness
McAlmond pledges to serve only two terms, citing strong public support for term limits. “I believe in true term limits,” he said. He also guarantees rapid communication with voters, promising a 48-hour response window for anyone who contacts his office.
His broader agenda includes fiscal restraint, promotion of conservative values, and advancement of what he calls the Republican “humanities platform” through ethical individualism. He supports Israel strongly and values truth in politics, citing bipartisan examples of leadership.
Message to Voters: A Call for Change
Acknowledging the challenge of unseating an incumbent, McAlmond frames the race as a critical choice for Republican voters. “The Republicans in the district have a choice,” he said. “They can send him back, even though he’s not really done much—or they can send somebody back that’s a lot more passionate, a lot more activist.”
He encourages participation in the primary, saying Republicans “deserve better.” McAlmond’s campaign website outlines his platform and emphasizes his pledge to be a “fighter” for both the district and conservative values.
As the May 2026 primary approaches, voters in Oregon’s 2nd District will decide whether fresh energy and activism outweigh incumbency in one of the state’s most reliably Republican strongholds.
For more information about Russ McAlmond’s campaign, visit mcalmondforcongress.org. Any registered Republican can expect to see McAlmond’s name on the primary ballot in May 2026.