While the vote in Wallowa County’s recent referendum remains too close to call, the apparent slender majority would make Wallowa the 20th of Oregon’s 36 counties to endorse the “Greater Idaho” movement. This movement, perceived by Oregon’s Democratic elite as strictly partisan, runs much deeper than that.

As a resident of the north coast who left the Republican Party back when the Reaganites took over, I’m beginning to sympathize with the secessionists. When you’re neither heard nor understood, year after year, you tend to get a mite testy.

The simple truth is that Oregon – once a model of bipartisan cooperation – has become a one-party, one-city state. Which might be tolerable, if that party and that city showed any concern for the values, interests and general welfare of the rest of us. But the very demographics which give Portland its unchallenged power also militate against its understanding. Portland is not only different from the rest of Oregon, its ever growing political domination is a by-product of in-migration.

Simply stated, an increasing number of Portlandians aren’t from Oregon and don’t know much about Oregon except for a few beach towns, recreational areas and wineries. Yet, by their sheer numbers, these recent arrivals enhance the political clout of Portland and its Democratic organization.

The result? A natural and growing resentment. The Greater Idaho movement — almost certain to fail, given the U.S. Constitution’s high barriers to redrawing state lines — is one manifestation. Republican legislative walkouts are another. Within the past week, a growing number of state senators have absented themselves for more than 10 days, which, under last year’s Measure 113, disqualifies them from seeking re-election.

Measure 113, itself, is illustrative of the tone-deafness of Oregon’s one-party, one-city power structure. Republican walkouts have been effective because of a constitutional provision setting a two-thirds majority as the quorum for legislative action. To a logical mind, the obvious solution might have been to amend the constitution to make the quorum a simple majority – the rule in most states. But the authors of Measure 113 were determined to show Republican legislators just who’s boss. They opted for a punitive measure, assuming that no politician would forego re-election over a point of principle.

They clearly underestimated Senate Republicans. The walkout continues.

Now, to be sure, Measure 113 passed by a 2-to-1 majority statewide and by majorities in “Greater Idaho.” But there was no organized opposition to the measure; fundraising was entirely on one side. Perhaps the result — outside of Portland — had more to do with resignation than ardent support.

This much is clear: Outside the Portland metro area, Oregonians increasingly sense how little they matter to those in power – at a time when the arrogance of Portland’s Democratic organization seems increasingly unjustified.

Portland, itself, is almost universally regarded as a mess. Businesses continue to close, often citing crime. Homeless encampments mushroom. According to the Census Bureau, the city itself has lost 19,500 residents since 2020.

At the state level, according to Morning Consult (a business intelligence agency), Tina Kotek has the lowest approval rating of any governor in the nation. To be fair, Kotek is new in office and doubtless inherited her low ratings from Kate Brown. But even granting Kotek a grace period, the recent resignation of Secretary of State Shemia Fagan – under an increasingly-darkening cloud – raises troubling ethical questions. And last week, a $15,000 fine was levied on the Democratic Party of Oregon for misreporting the source of a $500,000 contribution.

Oregon has longer-term problems. State campaign finance laws, among the feeblest in the nation, virtually assure the dominant influence of rich individuals and corporations. Oregon’s public schools are known for handing out diplomas to any student who bothers to meet attendance requirements. And the list goes on.

The bottom line? Oregon’s discontents are not limited to the east. Here on the north coast, we might not share the views of eastern Oregonians on some social issues, nor entirely approve the walkout tactics of Republican senators. But the one party, one city dominance of Portland has become a problem which must be solved.

There are solutions, if only Oregon were willing to return to its traditions of bipartisan cooperation and political innovation. The status quo is no longer acceptable.

Cannon Beach resident Frederick ‘Rick Gray Jr. served as the secretary of the commonwealth of Virginia from 1978-1981.