Election Results and Trends in Bend, OR
In the last Presidential election, Bend, OR voted predominantly Democrat, with 52.7% of voters casting their ballot for Biden, while 44.4% of voters in Bend voted for Trump, and other parties voting 2.9%. Based on these voting patterns, Bend is considered a slightly leaning liberal city. Specifically, it ranks 137th out of the most populated 333 cities in the United States in terms of conservatism based on the 2020 Presidential election results. Conversely, when looking at the liberal voting patterns in the 2020 election, Bend ranks 226th out of the 333 most populated cities, indicating a relatively low liberal vote.
Presidential Elections Voting Trend
Bend, situated in Deschutes County, Oregon, has displayed a diverse voting pattern in the last 25 years. While the area voted for Republican candidates Bob Dole (1996) and George W. Bush (2000 and 2004), a notable shift started in 2008. Bend supported Democrat candidates Barack Obama in 2008 and 2012, Hillary Clinton in 2016, and Joe Biden in 2020. The shift towards liberal candidates in the Presidential elections reveals a changing political alignment in Bend that may reflect demographic changes and evolving values. (2) City-Level Elections (Last 25 Years):
Local Elections
At the city level, Bend's politics have been more mixed. Though historically conservative-leaning, the city has witnessed an increasing influence of liberal candidates, particularly in the past decade. Growth, urbanization, and the influx of new residents have contributed to a more balanced representation in City Councils and mayoral elections. This trend demonstrates a more nuanced and diverse political landscape at the local level in Bend.