GOP leaders nominate Bentz to fill Butler’s slot
Officials must act by Feb. 4 or governor will decide
By Larry Meyer
Argus Observer
Sunday, January 13, 2008 3:34 AM PST
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| Cliff Bentz (right), Ontario, a candidate for the Oregon House District 60 seat, speaks to Republican precinct committee members at the Holiday Inn in Ontario, Saturday, while candidates Tim Smith (far left), Burns, and Deon Strommer, Baker City, look on. |
ONTARIO - In the closest vote Oregon Republican Party Chairman Vance Day said he has ever seen, Cliff Bentz, Ontario, received the most votes from Republican delegates to replace Rep. Tom Butler, who has resigned from his state House District 60 seat.
The leaders met for the day at the Holiday Inn to nominate delegates.
Members of the Malheur, Harney and Grant county courts and the Baker County Commission will decide who will complete the remainder of Butler’s term, which includes attending the special legislative session in February.
No electors participated from Grant County, however, during the nomination process.
The county leaders are scheduled to meet Jan. 22 in Vale.
They must act by Feb. 4 — 30 days after Butler’s resignation — or Gov. Ted Kulongoski will make the decision.
In addition to Bentz, Tim Smith, Burns, and Deon Strommer, Baker City, were also nominated.
Since three to five candidates are allowed to be nominated, the balloting, which took place Saturday, served as a ranking of preference by the Republican delegates. Behind Bentz, Smith came in second, and Strommer third.
The precinct committee members, of which there were 70 participating, were representing the people in their precincts, or 8,077.96 votes.
Among those votes, Bentz received 4,127.59, Smith received 4,013.95 and Strommer received 3,875.47.
Baker County electors met in Baker City and participated by phone because of concerns about weather-related road conditions.
