by James Murphy December 5, 2024 ( December 5, 2024 )
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Unhappy with what they consider the state of Oregon’s recalcitrance in considering their demands to move the state’s borders so that many counties would belong instead to Idaho, members of the Greater Idaho Movement are seeking some high-level assistance. On Wednesday, leaders of Greater Idaho sent a letter to President-elect Donald Trump requesting his support.
Oregon Government Ignoring the Movement
Thus far, 13 eastern Oregon counties, mainly east of the Cascades, have voted to study such a move. Oregon Governor Tina Kotek (D) and the leftist state government have largely ignored the movement except to offer vague platitudes about “listening” to the concerns of eastern Oregonians. Kotek said in 2023:
I have met Oregonians who are frustrated, who want to be heard in Salem. And yes, some of them might have voted to support the measure to go to Idaho. But it’s like, “Look; I just want to be heard.” My job as Governor is to make sure people are heard. We’re not always going to agree on everything, but we need to have every perspective at the table.
But despite Kotek’s “listening tours” of the state, many in eastern Oregon are frustrated with the lack of concrete efforts by the state government in Salem to take their concerns seriously. Greater Idaho organizers feel that Trump and can use his ability as a “practical problem-solver” to grease the wheels.
“For the last four years we’ve been going directly to the people to hear what they want,” Greater Idaho President Mike McCarter said in a December 4 statement:
They’ve made clear they want to start border discussions. We’ve also reached out to the Oregon Legislature and Governor Kotek but gotten no response. Oregon state government hasn’t been willing to listen to eastern Oregonians, but we believe the President will.
Greater Idaho is keeping a running tab on how long it’s been since they’ve heard from Kotek. Currently, it stands at 147 days.
Movement Seeks Help From Trump
“As leadership for the Citizens for Greater Idaho movement, we are excited to see the promise of your incoming administration for solving old political problems with new approaches. Unlike typical politicians, you have a unique ability as a practical problem-solver to get things done, and your support can bring a peaceful resolution to Oregon’s longstanding east-west divide. Helping achieve this would only cement your legacy as a peacemaker and transformational president,” the letter to Trump reads.
Two counties — Malheur and Baker, which have already voted to study the move to Idaho — voted on ballot measures in November, asking whether they should cease looking into a move to Idaho. The measure failed in both counties.
The request to Trump escalates the movement to a much higher level. So far, neither Trump nor any of his surrogates has commented publicly on the letter.
Greater Idaho is one of several movements of people unhappy about their representation in left-leaning states. Movements also exist in Illinois, where 33 counties have voted to consider leaving Chicago and Cook County. And in Northern California, supporters of the State of Jefferson would like to see a break from the leftist policies of Sacramento.
But so far, nothing has gained the traction of the Greater Idaho Movement. Perhaps seeking Trump’s assistance will help them.
