Garlock declares candidacy for Cd'A council

The race for Coeur d’Alene’s City Council is officially underway, as a familiar face announced his run for one of the council seats up for grabs this November.

Roger Garlock has officially announced his candidacy for Seat #2. A press release sent Monday stated the 18-year-local’s passion for the community is the driving force behind his decision to run.

“Roger will bring all of these attributes and will continue to work hard for the people of Coeur d’Alene going to work hard for, not the special interests who are changing the dynamic and aesthetic of our town,” the statement reads.

Garlock last made political news as one of three candidates chosen by the Kootenai County Republican Central Committee to replace the Kootenai County Assessor Rich Houser, who passed away on May 3. Garlock’s nomination was eventually supplanted by the appointment of fellow nominee and interim assessor Bela Kovacks.

Garlock ran for office in 2018, as well, this time for the District 4 seat in the Idaho House. But he would lose that May in the primary to incumbent Rep. Paul Amador, R-Coeur d’Alene, pulling in 31 percent of the conservative vote in the loss.

Seat #2 has been one of the focuses of a recall effort by a group dissatisfied with the city’s October mask mandate. Since that council decision, Amy Evans’s seat — as well as those of fellow council members Kiki Miller, Dan English and Christie Wood, all four voting in favor of the mask mandate — has been the target of that ire.

Garlock’s campaign has established its Facebook page — Garlock4CDA — and his candidacy is running on a platform of responsible growth in keeping with values he describes as “keeping Coeur d’Alene, Coeur d’Alene.”

“Roger will bring a logical and responsive approach to the growth we are experiencing as opposed to a reactionary mindset that has led to burdens on our infrastructure, environment and schools,” his statement reads. "He will do this in a fiscally responsible way that doesn’t rely on excessive amounts of urban renewal district money or annexation of land for the sake of high-density housing.”

When asked to comment about the challenge, Evans said she is eager to contend for her council seat, adding that she was optimistic about her future, as well as the city’s.

“I’m looking forward to the next four years,” she said. “I think my experience is valuable as we look forward to the opportunities and challenges our city faces.”