U.S. Rep. Greg Walden of Hood River has been an impressive leader since his days in the Oregon Legislature. Republicans should support him in the Republican primary in the 2nd Congressional District.

Walden, the former owner of radio stations in Hood River and in The Dalles, has grown in influence. Now 57 and in his eighth term in Congress, he’s chairman of the National Republican Campaign Committee. He’s chairman of Subcommittee on Communications and Technology. He’s fifth in the House leadership. That influence helps Oregonians.

He can make things happen in Congress. He can get a bill to move.

For instance, he worked this session with his Democratic colleagues in Oregon to get agreement on a forestry bill that would permit more federal land to be logged and thinned. In a crowded House calendar, with hundreds of other House members with bills of their own, he could get the bill to a vote in the House. Of course, it’s sitting in the Senate. But that’s a job for Oregon’s senators.

He’s done more for his district, too. He’s twice guided a bill through the House that would free up more water behind Bowman Dam for Prineville and for irrigators, and it would enable hydro to be built. That also is awaiting action by the Senate.

There’s much more to it than just passing bills. He’s protecting Oregonians from excessive regulation — from onion farmers facing brutal requirements for water quality to brewers and ranchers facing a challenge to the age-old practice of using spent grain from breweries as feed for cattle. He’s also fought to keep the Internet free from being played for control and taxation.

Walden does have a Republican challenger, Dennis Linthicum. Linthicum, 58, has worked in information systems for a variety of companies including Hughes Aircraft. He moved to Oregon about 20 years ago with his family and has a ranch. He has been a county commissioner in Klamath County since 2008.

Linthicum describes himself as a constitutional conservative. If there is one overriding theme in his campaign, it is how the federal government has usurped power from the states. He doesn’t want the federal government dictating education or environmental standards. He is disgusted with the federal debt.

He told us: “If you are wanting compromise, I am not your man.”

We share many of Linthicum’s concerns; so does Walden. But anyone who speaks with Linthicum has to wonder how his idealism and uncompromising approach would collide with getting things done in Congress.

Oregon Republicans should want someone who stays true to the beliefs of the party. If a member of Congress is also to have a positive impact for Oregonians, he or she needs to be able to compromise.

Vote Walden.