A Republican running for Congress in Oregon is advising voters against his attempted secession of the eastern part of the state into conservative Idaho, saying residents should seek change at the ballot box.
In late May, 13 counties in the eastern part of the state voted to begin negotiating terms on how to secede from liberal Oregon and join the redder neighboring state of Idaho.
This “Greater Idaho Movement” has been going on for years because conservatives there feel underrepresented because of Oregon’s populous liberal strongholds to the west, like Portland.
Monique DeSpain is a retired Air Force colonel running for Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District, including the liberal college town of Eugene. She is encouraging residents to stay in the state and elect her so she can solve the progressive area’s problems.
Republican congressional candidate Monique DeSpain speaks during an election watch party
Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, DeSpain highlighted how she plans to address those issues head-on if elected, and why disillusioned Oregonians should not break away but stay in the fight to improve the state.
“I’m encouraging people to stay and fight,” DeSpain told DailyMail.com.
‘We have to stand our ground and fight for America. It’s not just for Oregon. California’s problems have moved to Oregon and there’s a lot of resentment around that.’
“This is our problem and we must stand firm and address it.”
He said voters in his area are fed up with decades-long Democratic control of the state and that has led to an explosion of fentanyl deaths and homelessness.
“Portland doesn’t represent the majority of Oregon…just like Eugene doesn’t represent the majority of people in the 4th District, and that’s why we’re going to win because these issues are resonating throughout the district.”
“I understand the feeling that we are not represented, that is what this whole fight for me and this seat in Congress is about.”
“Ultimately, the United States is the only free nation on Earth and that’s why we can’t start by leaving Oregon to go to Idaho.”
At least a dozen conservative counties in eastern Oregon pass ballot measures for the secession vote that would see them join unwoke Idaho.
Fentanyl, a highly addictive harmful drug, is causing crises on the streets of Portland, Oregon. The drug that is easily manufactured in Mexico is flooding the porous southern border in pill form.
Fentanyl deaths and homelessness have been a persistent problem in his hometown of Eugene, DeSpain said.
She told DailyMail.com about efforts to address homelessness across the state.
“We have over 2,000 nonprofits serving this addicted homeless community, which is just incredible given that we’re still the worst in the country,” he said.
“So there is no progress, but I don’t think there is a shortage of money for these issues.”
‘I would demand audits and that anyone involved in that space of recovery and addiction, homelessness, have recovery in their mission statement, because I know a lot of them don’t.’
And despite a massive influx of funding to treat addiction and homelessness, their communities are still plagued by users and homelessness, and they say the problem has not abated.
“So it would be bringing transparency and accountability to the money that comes from Congress,” he said, adding that he would focus on properly doling out “the federal dollars that are supposed to be used to solve the problem, not perpetuate it.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik, R.N.Y., heads EPAC, an organization that endorses Republican congressional candidates. The group held an event Tuesday near the Capitol highlighting candidates like DeSpain.
At the event, in addition to Stefanik, were Republican candidates (left to right) Mayra Flores, Texas, Yvette Herrell, New Mexico, Alison Esposito, New York, Laurie Buckhout, North Carolina, Monique DeSpain, Oregon, and Caroleene Dobson , Alabama.
Republican congressional candidate Monique DeSpain analyzes election results during an election watch party hosted by the DeSpain campaign on Tuesday, May 21, 2024.
DeSpain was one of several House candidates this week at an event hosted by House Republican Conference Chairwoman Elise Stefanik, R.N.Y., on Capitol Hill earlier this week.
This EPAC ‘Rising Stars’ event highlighted candidates from across the United States that Stefanik has endorsed and who Republicans believe have a good chance of flipping seats red in November.
At the event, DeSpain was joined by fellow Republican candidates Yvette Herrell, New Mexico, Mayra Flores, Texas, Alison Esposito, New York, Laurie Buckhout, North Carolina, and Caroleene Dobson, Alabama.
“I entered this race because I’m not one to shy away from a worthy fight,” DeSpain told the crowd of about 50 people.
‘I served for 30 years, most of it as a (Judge Advocate General’s Corps). I’m a single mother who raised twins in Eugene, right in the 4th district, and I’m an attorney who has been advocating for victims’ rights, business owners’ rights, and has been advocating for public policy.’
