PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- After a notable months-long absence of in-person town halls, the lone Republican in Oregon's congressional delegation has formally announced his intent to shift to virtual meetings, blaming an anti-Trump grassroots organization for hijacking previous meetings.

Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-Ore.) said in a statement on Friday that "intentionally disruptive, repetitive, practiced, rude, and demeaning behavior" at his last four town halls across eastern Oregon was what prompted the decision.

According to Bentz, the February meetings -- which previously had less than 100 attendees -- drew crowds of 180 in the Boardman, 250 in Baker City, 300 in Pendleton and nearly 500 in La Grande.

"Unlike previous years, many of those attending followed us from town hall meeting to town hal

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