In a striking blow to Oregon’s far-left establishment, the Greater Idaho movement is surging forward as disillusioned Oregonians in the state’s conservative eastern counties fight to break free from Portland’s progressive stranglehold. Frustrated by years of radical policies, unchecked crime, and soaring taxes, these rural communities are determined to join neighboring Idaho, where commonsense governance and traditional values still prevail.
The movement, which began in 2020 amid chaos from Antifa and Black Lives Matter riots that Democratic leaders in Oregon allowed to spiral out of control, is now gaining real traction. In early February 2025, Idaho state Rep. Mark Owens (R-Malheur) introduced HB 3844, a bill that would create a state-level task force to explore redrawing the border to incorporate 13 fed-up Oregon counties into Idaho.
Matt McCaw, executive director of the Greater Idaho movement, highlighted the grassroots nature of the push. “This movement has always been about the people of Eastern Oregon getting their voice heard,” McCaw told Fox News Digital. “They want governance that reflects their values, not policies handed down by Portland elites who neither understand nor respect rural communities.”
And the numbers back him up. So far, 11 counties have already voted in favor of secession, underscoring how out of touch Oregon’s urban leadership has become. Yet, the progressive stronghold in western Oregon continues to ignore the will of these citizens, raising questions about how much Democrats truly value the “democracy” they so often preach.
“If the Oregon Legislature truly believes in democracy,” McCaw added pointedly, “they will honor those voters’ wishes and move forward on making a border change happen.”
Mike McCarter, president of the Greater Idaho movement, echoed those sentiments in a legislative statement. “We are encouraged to see Eastern Oregon representatives advocating for their voters. The people have made it clear: They want to explore moving the border and joining Idaho,” he said. “It’s about fair representation and freedom from policies that are driving up crime, worsening homelessness, and punishing hard-working taxpayers.”
Despite liberal handwringing, the constitutional pathway to redrawing state borders is well-established. Greater Idaho notes that the last adjustment to Oregon’s border was in 1958, and historic precedents like West Virginia’s formation during the Civil War prove that such changes are possible when citizens demand better representation.
What’s clear is that residents of Eastern Oregon are fed up with policies like soft-on-crime laws and suffocating regulations that cripple businesses and farmers. They’re not looking for handouts—they want autonomy, lower taxes, and leadership that values law and order. Joining Idaho isn’t just a political statement; it’s a lifeline to preserve their way of life.
As momentum builds, the ball is now in the court of the Oregon Legislature. Will they respect the will of their rural constituents or double down on their progressive agenda? One thing is certain: the people of Eastern Oregon aren’t backing down.
