Longtime Coeur d’Alene City Councilman Dan Gookin ran for mayor on a campaign of providing stronger leadership at City Hall. He’ll have the next four years to deliver on that pledge.

Gookin received 3,265 votes, 34.1%, in Tuesday's General Election to beat Debbie Loffman, endorsed by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee, with 2,674 votes, 28%, Mayor Woody McEvers with 2,527 votes, 26.4%, while dentist John Pulsipher was fourth with 1,084 votes, 11.3%.

Gookin found a following in his role as a man of the people, opposing tax hikes, vowing to protect neighborhoods and supporting small businesses.

He said he appreciated the support and was honored to be elected mayor.

"A little numb," he said when contacted late Tuesday night after full results were posted on the Kootenai County Elections site that reported 30,705 total votes were cast countywide, 28% voter turnout

Gookin said he had a tremendous team behind him.

"I would not have run if I did not have so many people who were positive, supporting me and helping me through all the weird stuff," he said.

Gookin said more and more, when people want something from the city, they contact him, and he speaks up for them.

"I think people appreciate the responsiveness," he said. "I think that kind of carried it for me."

McEvers, who ran a low-key campaign, said he did not have any bad feelings about losing.

"I figured that's what the people want, you know," he said. "It's fine. I don't take it personally."

McEvers had served on the City Council since 2002 before being appointed mayor last year when Jim Hammond resigned. When this year ends, it will be his first time in more than two decades he won't be an elected city leader.

He said it will give him more time to be with family and perhaps even go surfing again.

"I can have a different life now," he said, laughing. "I've got some choices to make. I'll probably start doing things I haven't had time to do."

Still, he expects to remain involved with the city in one way or another and treasures his time serving the citizens of Coeur d'Alene.

"It's nice to be part of this culture and this history," he said. "We accomplished a lot and there's still more to do."

McEvers expects Gookin to do well as mayor.

"Good things come out of changes," he said. 

Amy Evans, who has served 12 years on the City Council, received 5,258 votes, 60.6%, to easily defeat Jeff “Doc” Larson who received 3,407 votes, 39.3%, to retain Seat 2 for another four years.

"I'm just so humbled by it," Evans said of her big win.

Evans said it's a "tremendous pleasure and honor to serve the city.

"I love Coeur d'Alene," she said. "There's no better privilege than working with the citizens of our community."

Longtime City Councilor Kiki Miller also won handily, defeating former Kootenai County commissioner Bill Brooks and JD Claridge for Seat 6 and was reelected to four more years. 

Miller received 4,762 votes, 50.8%, Claridge received 3,390 votes, 36.1%, while Brooks received 1,217 votes, 12.9%.

Kenny Gabriel, appointed to the City Council last year, was unopposed for Seat 4.

The Coeur d'Alene mayor’s race saw two longtime popular elected officials with contrasting styles vying for the city’s top elected position. 

McEvers, known for being laid back, prefers to be more of a calm, guiding voice of reason and let city staff handle things, while Gookin often peppers staff with tough questions during City Council presentations and considers himself as someone standing up for the common citizen.

Gookin said in the days leading up to the election, he was hearing more and more from people telling him he was the one to beat.

He said McEvers' handling of the Charlie Kirk proclamation last month may have cost him votes. 

McEvers was criticized by both those who supported and opposed the city proclamation that named Oct. 14 as “A Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk." Some said he shouldn't have signed it, while supporters were upset he didn't read the entire proclamation at the Oct. 7 City Council meeting.

Gookin said McEvers came across as indecisive.

"If he would have handled that better, you probably would see our numbers flip," Gookin said. "People expected him to be more decisive."

Still, Gookin praised McEvers.

"He's a great guy and I love him," he said.

Gookin said when he comes on board as mayor, "there will be much more decisiveness when it comes to doing things.

"It all starts with the mayor," he said.

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