By MIKE McINALLY/Oregon Capital Chronicle
The leaders of the Greater Idaho movement have asked President-elect Donald Trump to support their efforts to have counties in eastern Oregon join Idaho – a state they say is more in tune with them politically, economically and culturally.
“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 long-standing east-west divide,” the three leaders said in a Dec. 4 letter to Trump.
Matt McCaw, the executive director of Citizens for Greater Idaho, said last week that the group has not yet received a response from Trump.
“It takes time for these things to filter through, but we are hopeful that somebody from the administration will reach out to us and pick this up,” McCaw said. “This is an idea whose time has come.”
The letter also was signed by Mike McCarter, president of Citizens for Greater Idaho, and Sandie Gilson, the vice president.
Trump’s background in business and not politics is an advantage, McCaw said: “He’s a businessperson, he’s a problem-solver. He’s shown that he’s been open to outside-the-box thinking. And we think that this is a perfect fit.”
Over the last four years, voters in 13 eastern Oregon counties have passed initiatives requiring county commissioners to meet regularly to discuss the merits of moving the Oregon-Idaho border so that the counties are part of Idaho.
McCaw said a meeting with Trump or a surrogate would allow the Greater Idaho officials to bring the administration up to speed on the movement. And after that, he said, “what we would hope is that the administration could help get the state of Oregon to the negotiating table.”
“The people of eastern Oregon want this to happen,” McCaw said. “The people of Idaho want this to happen.”
“However,” the letter to Trump said, “Oregon’s Legislature and governor remain sullen, preferring to ignore the results of these citizens’ initiatives while continuing to march the state ever more left.”
The letter added that “eastern Oregon residents recognize that representative government will never come from Oregon because we are outvoted on every issue the progressives put forth, leaving us completely disenfranchised.”
While Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris easily won in Oregon, outpolling Trump by more than 320,000 votes, it was a different story in the 13 eastern Oregon counties in the Greater Idaho effort: Trump beat Harris by more than 50,000 votes in the region.
Legislative approval needed
The border change would require the approval of the Oregon and Idaho legislatures and, eventually, the U.S. Congress. A measure urging leaders of the two states to discuss the change passed the Idaho House of Representatives in 2023 but languished in the state Senate. A similar measure was introduced in the 2023 Oregon Legislature but went nowhere.
McCaw said he expects Greater Idaho measures will be introduced again in the Oregon and Idaho legislatures in 2025.
In July, Greater Idaho leaders sent a letter to Gov. Tina Kotek asking for a meeting. Kotek has not responded, McCaw said, but the offer stands: “We would love to sit down with the governor and start that conversation and advocate for the people of eastern Oregon and see where it would go from there.”
In a September conversation with eastern Oregon journalists, Kotek said she had received the invitation but had not yet decided how to respond.
“I’m still considering whether that makes sense to go,” she said at the time. “I very much respect all the Oregonians who made their voices heard and said ‘we’re frustrated’ when they voted for the measures in their counties. …. I think what I’m trying to figure out is, what’s the best way to continue that conversation with Oregonians?”
The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a Capital Chronicle request for comment Thursday.
- Oregon Capital Chronicle is a nonprofit Salem-based news service that focuses its reporting on Oregon state government, politics and policy.
Debra Riddle
What would happen to the 1864 treaty with the Klamath Tribes concerning Hunting, Gathering and Fishing rights?
What about the other tribes rights that are already in Idaho.
Disgusted. It’s not happening. Trump cannot make it happen. It’s up to Oregonians … and it’s a no.
Sorry, could only find how to reply.
Why can’t they just divide Oregon in half and move some of northern California to Oregon like the once was saying before this great Idaho thing. We should be on our own. We have different taxes and way of life even from Idaho as we do from northern Oregon. Just do south and northern Oregon let us be our own.
Wouldn’t it be a lot easier to simply move to idaho?
I say this as someone in a political and religious minority who suffered 24 years of residency in Utah under an effective theocracy. When I was able to escape back to my native Oregon, I did.
So quit your delusional belly aching and pack up if you love Idaho so much.
Your response is exactly why the people outside of the blue corridor (which is 80% of geographical Oregon) want to kick the current state leadership to the curb and either join Idaho or create a 51st state of Jefferson with Northern California.
Yes I’m 100 percent in agreement with this because I’ve lived in Oregon most of my 63 years and I’m sick and tired of the parts of Oregon that have been and will continue to destroy our state. I believe that Oregon is a truly red state. Please help us get this done.
Seeing as more than 60% of Oregon’s entire population is in Portland, you would be mistaken to say Oregon is a “truly red” state. Majority of Oregonians vote blue, which is what makes it a blue state.
What about property and homes ? The type of business and geography is part of the equation. It just is not that simple.
Oregon has been ruined due to political leaders. It isn’t that we love Idaho more as we love the land here just not the Californians that moved in and took over.
I think Oregon should get the Snake River.
How do we get Jackson County added?
We took a vote years ago and was passed so not sure why Jackson County is discluded
What about forming another state altogether? An East and West Oregon? We have East and West Virginia?
It makes sense due to differences between the citizens political leanings and the land/environment of the areas.
Thus keeping Native Americans of the areas right intact.
There is a medium that includes all people.
It would be extremely costly and a financial loss for the state of Idaho so it will never happen. Follow the money and there is no benefit for Idaho.
If you like the way things are in Idaho, then move there. Leave my state alone.
I think leave Oregon alone. We don’t want to be Idaho. We are proud to be Oregonians. It’s all those people moving in that want to change us. I say if you don’t like us, go home.
Currently accepting membership to the Greater Oregon Good Riddance Movement. We are a non-profit organization established to provide moving funds and assistance to the ungrateful Oregonians living in “Greater Idaho” counties. Our organization helps to transport them to a location of their choice inside the existing Idaho state border. In order to provide them with a less jarring transition, prior to moving them we seize half of their minimum wage salary and all of their marijuana products, strip them of their reproductive rights, close their libraries, and charge them sales tax on their groceries. Trucks departing daily. Donate today!
Perfect response.
Those of you wanting to become part of Idaho are surely aware that the minimum wage there is still only $7.25 an hour, and hasn’t changed since 2009? If you are having a hard time on Oregon’s minimum wage of $15.95, do you think it will be easier in Idaho?
Um, I don’t think Idaho wants this to happen, and Idaho has the biggest say.