COEUR d'ALENE - No joke, Pat 'Mitch' Mitchell says he's a contender.

The Coeur d'Alene City Council candidate and old standup comedian is serious about his run for Seat 3.

There are still things to learn about some of the city issues, he said, but he's prepared for the job.

"I'd say I'd always go back to my common sense," he said about questions of his political inexperience. "I don't care if I lose one vote, or 100 votes, saying there are some things I could always learn" shouldn't be looked at as a bad thing.

Mitchell has a marketing degree from the University of Idaho and is contracted with Internet Prospect Accelerations Systems, a marketing company for online business in Indianapolis. He said he supports much of what the current administration has accomplished, pointing to the public library, Kroc Center and Centennial and Prairie trails as examples.

The 49-year-old said he still needs to learn more about the local urban renewal agency to form a concrete stance, but believes the board has accomplished many positive things in their districts.

What he doesn't support is the plan to completely change McEuen Field. It's what spurred him to run for office, and he would support putting the issue out to a public advisory vote, he said.

"It doesn't need to be completely changed," he said.

Mitchell said he believes city staff are fairly paid, and wouldn't look to cut pay. He'd prefer to only give raises through personal achievements, rather than across the board

He ran for mayor in the 1993, finishing third in a three-way race won by Al Hassell.

Mitchell is a Coeur d'Alene native who was one of five people who began the New Year's Day tradition, the Polar Bear Plunge. He isn't married and doesn't have any children. He toured as a comedian from Seattle to Boston in his 20s and 30s.

He has yet to raise any money. He said he won't solicit donations, but if they come he would accept them. He said he's not asking for money partly because Seat 3 contenders George Sayler and Dan Gookin have more name recognition and a funding head start. He may use his own money to get going.

Still, he said he's serious about his political aspirations. His email address for election questions is mitchseat3@gmail.com.

"I'd say I'm a contender," he said. "I'm a long shot, but I'm a good long shot."