Woody McEvers selected to replace Jim Hammond as Mayor of Coeur d’Alene.
COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho – On Wednesday, July 31 the city council voted unanimously to select Councilmember Woody McEvers to complete the remainder of Mayor Jim Hammond’s term. McEvers will officially take up the new role on September 1.
Citing McEvers’ seniority and knowledge of “all the players,” Councilmember Dan Gookin nominated him for the position. Gookin called McEvers very approachable and noted that he doesn’t offend a lot of people.
Now that the council has elevated one of their own as mayor, they will soon be voting to confirm the new mayor’s pick to replace the empty council seat. This is frequently how reins of power are transferred, it is rarely a head-to-head contest by equals at the ballot box.
The community learned of Hammond’s resignation on July 15 when the city issued a press release stating, “Mayor Jim Hammond has announced his resignation, effective August 31, 2024. He and his wife plan to relocate to Colorado to be closer to their youngest son and grandchildren.”
“It has been a privilege to work with and learn from you. I am making known my impending departure now to ensure that you have sufficient time to select my successor,” Hammond remarked in a letter addressed to city councilmembers and department heads.
The release concluded with, “Mayor Hammond expressed confidence in the future of our City and its citizens and said that he’s leaving the City in the hands of strong and dedicated public servants whose only desire is to make Coeur d’Alene the very best it can be.”
The next public election for mayor in Coeur d’Alene will be November 2025.
