Wants to move the border: 'They hate things we do'

In eastern Oregon, a growing sentiment among conservative residents is fueling a movement to redraw state lines and join neighboring Idaho. Curt Howell, a resident of La Grande, expresses a common frustration: feeling governed by liberal politicians located hundreds of miles away on Oregon's west coast. This disconnect has led many to support The Greater Idaho Movement.

The movement's core objective is to shift the border, effectively moving eastern Oregon into Idaho. Proponents argue that the political and cultural values of eastern Oregon align more closely with those of Idaho than with the progressive policies prevalent in western Oregon. Howell, who runs a grain processing firm and owns farmland, describes himself as friendly and thoughtful but deeply frustrated by the current governance.

"We just want to be left alone. Get out of our face," Howell stated, encapsulating the desire for greater autonomy and less state-level interference. The appeal of Idaho, for these Oregonians, lies in its perceived greener pastures – a place where their conservative viewpoints are more likely to be understood and reflected in policy. The Greater Idaho Movement represents a significant pushback against the political direction of Oregon, seeking a new state affiliation based on shared values.

“

We just want to be left alone. Get out of our face.