COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho – In the race for mayor in Coeur d’Alene, Dan Gookin is leading with 34% of the vote. Current Mayor Woody McEvers trails by 8%. While results are still unofficial, Gookin is preparing for his new role.
A current city council member, author and activist, Gookin is ready to take on this new chapter.
“It’s kind of like a hangover, but it’s good, and it’s starting to sink in,” said Gookin.
Gookin shared that the past 24 hours have been filled with anxiety and excitement.
“I forgot to mute my phone last night. So all night it was like…ding ding ding. And then this morning, there were lots of text messages and emails. And I appreciate those. Those are really good. Everything’s really positive…we’ll just have to see what happens moving forward,” said Gookin.
Gookin stated that his primary focus on day one will be the city’s budget.
“I’m going to be looking at that budget all the time…especially, all the spending that goes on,” he said.
As an author, Gookin has written several books, including “Running for Local Office for Dummies.” The book was intended to help others like Gookin run for office.
“I think a lot of people say, oh, I’m going to do this and this. And then they get in, they get overwhelmed, they get really busy, and then it’s like, well, wait a second. I said I was going to do this and this and this. And I think that’s really important…because that’s how you get reelected, if that’s what you want,” said Gookin.
