BOISE, Idaho — The racist and xenophobic phrase, “go back to where you’re from,” is deeply rooted in American History.
It can be said in many ways, some more subtle than others. But it was stated clearly on Tuesday night in North Idaho by a sitting state senator. Dan Foreman (R) - Viola, allegedly told a Democratic candidate for Idaho’s House and member of the Nez Perce Tribe to, “go back to where you’re from.”
At a “Meet Your Candidates” forum held at the VFW hall in Kendrick, Latah County residents had a chance to hear from legislative candidates for District 6.
All six Republican incumbents and their Democratic challengers were in attendance, and it was all going well until there was a question from the crowd about discrimination and legislation.
According to an account by Democratic candidate Trish Carter-Goodheart, Rep. Brandon Mitchell (R) – Moscow, responded by saying discrimination doesn’t exist in Idaho and that it’s more about people’s perceptions and sensitivities. He said he doesn’t see it.
When the question was presented to Carter-Goodheart, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe from Lapwai, she had a different take.
“I basically just stood up, and I said, you know, just because this isn't your lived experience does not mean that discrimination and racism don't exist today," Carter-Goodheart said. "And these are, you know, very real experiences of so many Idahoans, and it's not an Idaho issue. It's a national and even global issue."
She told KTVB before she could finish her sentence, Sen. Foreman shot up out of his seat and yelled, “I’m so tired of your liberal bull****. Go back to where you came from!”
Carter-Goodheart added, “[He] shot out of his seat and moved his chair in a really dramatic fashion and saw to the back of the room and started picking and clocking up his things, and he was all the while saying expletives the entire time, and it was awful."
Carter-Goodheart did not respond to the comment, but “I wanted to. Because I think we're really missing the opportunity to not only educate the senator but the rest of the people in attendance. That's what we have to do in these really tough situations by addressing racism, and discrimination is we have to address it head-on.”
For those in the audience, Carter-Goodheart said they were very upset and, thankfully, nobody supported his comment.
"It's very ironic. I'm a very proud member of the Nez Perce tribe here in Northern Idaho. The real irony in it is where this forum was taking place in Kendrick, Idaho—literal miles just within miles. We have lots of land that are being leased out to family farms," Carter-Goodheart said. "This is exactly where I'm from. I was like, in my mind, I was thinking, I was like, yeah, this is exactly where I can belong”
Carter-Goodheart has not heard from Sen. Foreman since.
She said she is waiting for a phone call with an apology and to have a discussion to acknowledge that people are experiencing racism in the state.
"Whether you realized or did it with malice or intent, the fact that you know you offended somebody or hurt or harmed. You can say sorry, and that's good because healing happens after that," she said. " But yeah, that's not what happened."
Carter-Goodheart said she also has not heard from Republican leadership in Latah County.
She did acknowledge and thanked Rep. Lori McCann (R) - Lewiston, candidate Kathy Dawes, and Moscow City Councilwoman Julia Parker for standing with her and supporting her Tuesday night.
The incident was confirmed by Rep. McCann, just as Carter-Goodheart described it.
Previous outbursts from Sen. Foreman
Sen. Foreman’s angry behavior on Oct.1 isn’t new. Back in September 2017, during the Latah County Fair, bodycam video from the Latah County Sheriff’s Office captured him yelling at an unknown man.
“I'm tired of people like you keep walking up and putting out this nonsense. That's what it is. This guy says I'm not doing my job, lecturing me on the card. Why don't you take a hike? Liberal****. Yeah, go ahead. Don't vote for me because you didn't. Yeah, you're a liberal nut,” Sen. Foreman screamed.
Then, in 2018, at the Idaho Statehouse, students from the University of Idaho showed up for a scheduled meeting with Sen. Foreman to talk about birth control.
“Abortion is murder. I stand against it. I am a Roman Catholic. I'm a conservative Republican. I think what you guys do stinks," Sen. Foreman said.
"That is your choice," the unknown student said.
Sen. Foreman responded, "You're d*** right it's my choice. So stay out of my office. Next time you walk into my office, you are dealing with ISP."
They were there to talk about birth control, not abortion.
KTVB reached out to ask Sen. Foreman about the alleged incident but we did not get a response.
Dan Foreman posted two responses to the incident on his Facebook.
