Far-right Idaho state Senator Dan Foreman found himself at the center of controversy after a heated argument with Trish Carter-Goodheart, a Native American candidate for House Seat A and member of the Nez Perce tribe. The confrontation took place during a “meet the candidates” forum in Kendrick, Idaho, on Tuesday, where Foreman reportedly told Carter-Goodheart to “go back to where you came from.”
According to a report by Boise State Public Radio, the dispute began when Foreman boldly claimed that discrimination does not exist in Idaho. Carter-Goodheart strongly disagreed, citing the state’s troubling history with white supremacist groups, particularly in northern Idaho. The state GOP has had to fend off attempts by these groups to infiltrate and take over the party on multiple occasions.
“[J]ust because someone hasn’t personally experienced discrimination, doesn’t mean it’s not happening. Racism and discrimination are real issues here in Idaho, as anyone familiar with our state’s history knows,” Carter-Goodheart said in a statement after the incident. She emphasized Idaho’s weak hate crime laws and mentioned the Aryan Nations, a white supremacist group that once had a strong presence in the region, as undeniable proof of the state’s challenges with racism.
The tension escalated when Foreman angrily interrupted Carter-Goodheart’s remarks during the forum, reportedly using an expletive to criticize what he perceived as a liberal agenda. He then shouted, “Go back to where you came from,” before storming out of the event.
Carter-Goodheart’s Republican opponent, incumbent Rep. Lori McCann, was present during the altercation and corroborated the incident. The exchange has sparked significant backlash, especially given the historical context of discrimination against Native Americans in Idaho and across the United States.
Foreman, a retired Air Force veteran and former law enforcement officer, is no stranger to controversy. In 2017, he made headlines after a viral video captured him at the Latah County Fair shouting at a constituent, calling him a “son of a b—-” and telling him to “go to hell.” His latest outburst adds to his reputation for unruly behavior.
The incident has reignited debates about racism and discrimination in Idaho, with many calling on state leaders to address the ongoing presence of white supremacist ideology in the region. Carter-Goodheart, meanwhile, continues to push forward in her campaign, calling for stronger hate crime laws and more inclusive policies for Idaho’s diverse communities.