A Republican State Senator has sparked outrage after allegedly telling a Native American candidate to “go back to where you came from,” before storming out of an Idaho forum. The incident occurred during a bipartisan event in the town of Kendrick, where Democratic candidate Trish Carter-Goodheart, a member of the Nez Perce Tribe, was participating in a discussion about discrimination.
According to Carter-Goodheart, tensions escalated when she pointed out that discrimination is still prevalent, despite some individuals not personally experiencing it. State Senator Dan Foreman reportedly lost his composure and directed racist remarks towards her, including the inflammatory statement to go back to where she came from. The confrontation left Carter-Goodheart shaken, especially as she was unprepared to discuss racism with her young children following the incident.
Foreman vehemently denies making any racial slurs and has labelled the accusation as a form of race-baiting. Despite his denial, witnesses have corroborated Carter-Goodheart’s account, with one stating that the Democratic candidate asked, “Where am I supposed to go?” in response to the Senator’s comments. The Nez Perce Tribe, whose reservation is close to where the forum took place, has a long history in the Pacific Northwest.
In a previous statement, Foreman expressed his belief that there is no systemic racism in Idaho or the United States, a sentiment that has been challenged by the incident at the forum. The fallout from the altercation has raised concerns about security at future events, with Carter-Goodheart emphasising the need for increased precautions. The episode underscores the ongoing challenges of racism and discrimination faced by minority candidates in political settings.