Council challenger drops out of race

COEUR d'ALENE - City Council candidate Barbara Hedden will not seek office this November after all.

"After careful consideration, I have decided to withdraw my name as a candidate for Coeur d'Alene City Council, Seat 3," Hedden said in a press release Wednesday afternoon. "Having lost my daughter just six months ago, this is not the right time for me to be making life-altering decisions and commitments. I will be more effective at this time by continuing my volunteer work in the community I love."

For 43 years, Hedden had been her eldest daughter's primary caregiver, she told The Press.

Hedden's departure from the race leaves incumbent Dan Gookin unchallenged in his quest for a second term on the council.