Democrats are crumbling. Nothing is going their way at this point.
And this blue state is in danger of imploding thanks to these crafty Republicans.
The ideological rift that was starkly illuminated during the anti-police riots of 2020 is once again making headlines in Oregon. The Greater Idaho movement, which aims to separate the conservative geographic majority of the state from the urban Leftist stronghold, is gaining momentum.
“This movement has always been about the people of Eastern Oregon, getting their voice heard and helping those communities get the kind of state-level governance they actually want,” said Matt McCaw, executive director of Greater Idaho, in an interview with Fox News Digital.
“If the Oregon Legislature truly believes in democracy, they will honor those voters’ wishes and move forward on making a border change happen.”
A Long Shot or a Real Possibility?
Despite the enthusiasm of its supporters, history shows that such secession efforts have had mixed outcomes. Earlier this month, state Rep. Mark Owens, R-Malheur, introduced HB 3844, a bill that would create a task force to study the feasibility of shifting the Idaho-Oregon border to incorporate approximately 13 eastern Oregon counties. The measure mandates that a report on the impacts of such a move be presented to politicians in Salem.
The Greater Idaho movement first brought its proposals to the ballot in 2020, and since then, the push has intensified. Political tensions between rural and urban Oregon have only deepened, fueled by controversial policies and incidents concentrated in the state’s densely populated coastal areas.
A Deepening Divide
Oregon became a focal point of nationwide attention during the 2020 anti-police riots, as violent protests rocked Portland. Demonstrators vandalized property and engaged in prolonged clashes in front of the Mark Hatfield Federal Courthouse. Meanwhile, in the state’s eastern two-thirds, where conservative values dominate, residents have increasingly felt alienated by decisions made in the Leftist capital.
Greater Idaho President Mike McCarter sees the latest legislative action as a step toward achieving long-sought changes. “We are encouraged to see the representatives of Eastern Oregon coming together to advocate for their voters by bringing these bills to the Legislature. The people of Eastern Oregon have made clear they want to explore moving the border and joining Idaho.”
“This movement has always been about the people of Eastern Oregon, getting their voice heard and helping those communities get the kind of state-level governance they actually want.”
Supporters argue that shifting the border would benefit both states, creating a scenario in which residents live under governments more aligned with their political values, thereby easing tensions.
A Precedent for Secession?
Moving a state border is no small feat. A report from the Central Oregonian noted that such a change would require an “interstate compact.” Similar efforts have surfaced elsewhere in the U.S.
One proposal seeks to move several rural Illinois counties, which feel increasingly disconnected from the policies of Springfield and Chicago, into neighboring Indiana. Another suggests incorporating parts of western Illinois into Iowa, given their cultural and political alignment with the Hawkeye State. While there are few historical precedents for such a shift, some past examples stand out. West Virginia successfully broke away from Virginia in 1863, driven by a desire to remain aligned with the Union during the Civil War. However, other movements have not fared as well.
The Road Ahead
For now, the Greater Idaho movement remains an uphill battle. Even if Oregon legislators agree to explore the proposal, a state border change would require approval from lawmakers — an arduous political process.
However, for the movement’s supporters, the issue is about more than just redrawing lines on a map. It’s about ensuring that residents feel represented by their state government, which currently adheres to radical Leftist ideologies.
The Conservative Column will keep you updated on the Greater Idaho movement.
