In this episode of the North Idaho Experience, we sit down with Dan Gookin, current Coeur d’Alene City Council member and candidate for the Coeur d’Alene mayoral race 2025, to discuss why he’s stepping up to run—and what he wants to change if elected.

For over 14 years, Gookin has served on the city council. But after years of asking others to take on the mayoral role and watching critical decisions fall short of his vision, he’s decided to run himself. As he puts it: “I’d rather not do it—but if no one else will, I’ll do the job, and I’ll do it well.”

What Does the Mayor of CDA Actually Do?

One of the biggest misconceptions, Gookin says, is that the mayor is the city. Not quite. The mayor is the administrator, responsible for carrying out the will of the city council and ensuring staff is aligned with policy. While the city council legislates, the mayor ensures execution.

For Gookin, that means day-one priorities include opening the floodgates of communication between staff and council and ensuring transparency in how decisions are made.

Why Run Now?

Gookin has been encouraged to run for years. So why now? He couldn’t find anyone else to do it. “Everyone kept saying, ‘You need to run.’” And when nobody else stepped up, he finally said yes.

But he also feels a growing frustration with bureaucratic red tape, poor communication, and city leadership that’s not pushing hard enough to support growth, law enforcement, and transparency.

Growth in CDA: Preserve the Charm, Plan the Future

When asked how he would handle Coeur d’Alene’s rapid growth, Gookin was clear: growth is coming, but we need to manage it thoughtfully.

“We can’t grow out anymore. We have to grow up—and that means higher density. But it has to be done beautifully.”

Gookin supports height restrictions downtown to preserve the historical charm that makes CDA so attractive to residents and visitors alike. He advocates for green space requirements, updated city codes to prevent “boxy” developments, and limiting overdevelopment in established neighborhoods.

He also wants to make it easier—not harder—for developers to bring in affordable housing, noting that many give up after being buried in red tape and unnecessary expenses.

Public Safety + Supporting First Responders

Gookin is a strong supporter of law enforcement, crediting Chief White and the CDA Police Department for helping drive crime down by 80%. But he also believes the city has failed to provide competitive pay and long-term funding to support first responders—especially in the face of seasonal tourist surges.

His solution? Push the Idaho legislature to amend outdated “resort city” laws so Coeur d’Alene can implement a bed tax or alcohol tax—revenue sources that would specifically support police, fire, and infrastructure needs created by non-resident visitors.

The State vs. Local Power Struggle

Throughout the conversation, Gookin expresses frustration with Idaho state policies that limit local control, especially on taxation and budgeting. He highlights how urban renewal closures and assessment-based property tax increases are creating burdens on long-time residents—without any real solution from the legislature.

“They say they support local control, then vote the opposite way.”

He advocates for revisiting property tax assessments, capping annual increases, and ensuring new developments contribute fairly through updated impact fees.

Downtown Development: Stop the High-Rises

Gookin is vocal about his disapproval of Coeur d’Alene’s growing skyline. He currently serves on the Downtown Overlay Committee and is working to establish a 45-foot height limit downtown.

“People don’t want skyscrapers—they want charm. They want the Coeur d’Alene they moved here for.”

While acknowledging the need for high-density housing in parts of the city, he’s committed to preserving the city’s aesthetic and livability by enforcing thoughtful design and better parking policies.

Addressing Controversies + Misconceptions

Gookin doesn’t shy away from addressing past controversies, including a viral video clip taken out of context. He calls it a political hit job, edited to discredit him. The full version, he says, reveals nothing extreme or hateful—just strong opinions taken out of context.

“Anyone with intelligence who watches it will realize it was a smear job.”

Looking Ahead: CDA in 10 Years

If elected, Gookin hopes to lead Coeur d’Alene toward a future that:

• Preserves the city’s small-town charm

   

• Supports first responders with sustainable funding

   

• Balances growth with infrastructure

   

• Attracts good-paying jobs and employers

   

• Fixes communication gaps between council and staff

   

And most of all—keeps CDA a place people want to live.

Discover Gookin’s ideas on how to fix Coeur d’Alene’s property tax problem.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re voting in November or just want to stay informed, this episode is packed with valuable insights from a candidate who’s been inside city government for over a decade—and now wants to lead it from the top.