Idaho GOP launch 'long shot' effort to absorb eastern Oregon counties: Portland runs 'everything there'

GOP Midvale, Idaho Rep. Judy Boyle introduced legislation this week in an effort to invite conservative eastern Oregon counties to join the Greater Idaho movement, the Idaho Statesman reports.

The purpose of the “joint memorial” is to provide the Oregon counties with the option of becoming part of a the more conservative Idaho. As the Idaho Statesman reports, the resolution "would ask the Democrat-dominated Oregon Legislature to discuss the Greater Idaho movement with the Idaho Legislature."

“Eastern Oregon has been quite unhappy with their state,” Boyle said. “Portland seems to be able to run everything there.”

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Per the Idaho Statesman, Oregon legislators recently initiated “a similar measure” to Boyle’s, asking Idaho lawmakers "join the conversation," but nothing has come from the proposal.

So far, 11 Oregon counties are eager to push the idea, and Idaho GOP official Mike McCarter urged the rest of Oregon to “stop holding our counties captive in this unhappy marriage.” He clarified, “Actually, it’s not even as dramatic as a divorce because we’re not breaking up a family.”

According to The Idaho Statesman, the territories cannot join together without approval from Oregon and Idaho state lawmakers and Congress.

“Is it a long shot? Probably,” Boyle said. “But how will we know if we never start?”

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