The Greater Idaho Movement, which is campaigning for eastern and central counties of Oregon to secede from the state and join their neighbor, has written to President-elect Donald Trump requesting his support.
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In the letter, the group told Trump that “the people here overwhelmingly voted for you,” adding: “We humbly ask you for your support in helping Eastern Oregonians achieve what the people have said they want, and that’s to join Idaho.”
Thus far, 13 Oregon counties have voted to leave the state and join Idaho, with the most recent, Crook County, doing so in May 2024. The Greater Idaho movement hopes they will be joined by Umatilla and Gilliam counties in full, along with Wasco and Deschutes counties in part. At this point, nearly the eastern two-thirds of Oregon would have voted to switch states.
Advocates of the Greater Idaho proposal argue that the more conservative-leaning and sparsely populated counties of eastern and central Oregon are currently unfairly dominated by the big, mostly liberal-voting cities on the coast, such as Portland and Salem.
The Greater Idaho Movement’s letter, signed by its president Mike McCarter, vice president Sandie Gilson and executive director Matt McCaw, was sent to Trump on Wednesday.
“We are excited to see the promise of your incoming administration for solving old political problems with new approaches,” the letter said.
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“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.”
The letter noted Democrats have controlled the Oregon House, Senate and governor’s office since 2007, arguing: “With over 60% of the landmass, but only 9% of the population, eastern Oregon residents recognize that representative government will never come from Oregon because we are outvoted on every issue the progressives put forth.”
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McCarter, Gilson and McCaw concluded: “Eastern Oregonians have spoken, and we yearn to join the family of small government and citizen-directed systems that Idahoans enjoy, but we need help from your administration to make this happen.”
Newsweek reached out to the Trump transition team and the Greater Idaho Movement for comment via email and online inquiry form, respectively.
The Greater Idaho project had initially proposed that part of southwestern Oregon secede from the state as well but adapted their plans after voters in Douglas and Josephine counties rejected this proposal.
Legally, merging large chunks of Oregon into Idaho would require approval from both states’ legislatures and Congress.
In May, Idaho Governor Brad Little told Newsweek: “I understand why many people want to be Idahoans. They’re looking at Idaho fondly because of our strong economy, regulatory atmosphere and our values.
“Still, the decision to change Idaho and Oregon’s borders would need to go through both states’ legislatures and the U.S. Congress for approval. There’s a lot that needs to happen before moving the border is within the realm of possibility.”
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Western States Strategies, the political arm of Portland-based nonprofit Western State Center, is actively opposing the Greater Idaho project.
In a 2023 interview with Oregon Public Broadcasting, Jill Garvey, Western States’ chief of staff, said she was particularly concerned as previous secessionist movements in Oregon had connections to white nationalists.
“What we’re doing is just pulling back the curtain. Nothing else. These are how these organizations are connected. We’re naming what we believe their real goals are,” Garvey said.
Newsweek hasn’t seen any evidence that those behind Citizens for Greater Idaho hold white nationalist views.
