In an attempt to get counties in eastern Oregon to join Idaho, which they claim is more in line with their political, economic, and cultural values, the leaders of the Greater Idaho movement have requested President-elect Donald Trump to back their efforts.
The three leaders wrote a letter to Trump on Dec. 4, saying, “Unlike other 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.”
Citizens for Greater Idaho’s executive director, Matt McCaw, stated Thursday morning that the organization had yet to hear back from Trump.
We are hoping that someone from the administration would get in touch with us and take this up, but it takes time for these things to get through, McCaw stated. The time has come for this concept.
Additionally, Citizens for Greater Idaho’s president, Mike McCarter, and vice president, Sandie Gilson, signed the letter.
According to McCaw, Trump’s experience in business rather than politics is advantageous since he is a problem-solver and a businessman. He has demonstrated that he is receptive to unconventional ideas. Additionally, we believe this to be a fantastic fit.
Voters in 13 eastern Oregon counties have approved measures during the past four years mandating that county commissioners hold regular meetings to debate the pros of relocating the Oregon-Idaho boundary to include the counties in Idaho.
McCaw said the Greater Idaho leaders would be able to update the administration on the movement through a meeting with Trump or a representative. The government should then assist in bringing the state of Oregon to the bargaining table, he stated.
According to McCaw, this is what the people of eastern Oregon want to happen. This is what the people of Idaho want to happen.
The governor and legislature of Oregon, according to the letter to Trump, are still sulky and would rather ignore the outcomes of these citizen initiatives while pushing the state farther to the left.
The letter went on to say that people in eastern Oregon understand that representative government will never come from their state because we are totally disenfranchised and outvoted on every topic proposed by progressives.
In Oregon, Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris comfortably defeated Trump, winning by over 320,000 votes. However, in the 13 eastern Oregon counties that made up the Greater Idaho effort, Trump defeated Harris by over 50,000 votes.
The Greater Idaho proposal requires legislative approval.
The legislatures of Oregon and Idaho, as well as eventually the US Congress, would need to approve the border adjustment. In 2023, a bill calling on the two states’ leaders to talk about the change was approved by the Idaho House of Representatives but stalled in the state Senate. The 2023 Oregon Legislature saw the introduction of a similar legislation, however it was unsuccessful.
McCaw stated that he anticipates the reintroduction of Greater Idaho legislation in the legislatures of Oregon and Idaho in 2025.
Leaders from Greater Idaho wrote to Oregon Governor Tina Kotek in July, requesting a meeting. “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,” McCaw said, adding that Kotek has not responded.
Speaking to reporters in eastern Oregon in September, Kotek stated that she had received the offer but was still unsure of how to react.
At the time, she stated, “I’m still deciding whether it makes sense to go.” I have a great deal of respect for all Oregonians who voiced their frustrations and voted for the measures in their counties. I believe I’m attempting to determine the most effective method to carry on that discussion with Oregonians.
An Oregon Capital Chronicle request for comment on Thursday was not immediately answered by the governor’s office.
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