Huckleberries Hears …
... That Jim Brannon is telling people that he will announce his candidacy for mayor of Coeur d'Alene this week, possibly Wednesday, by filing his paperwork for treasurer. Brannon was a central figure in a long lawsuit contesting the results of the 2009 city election race. Brannon lost his 2009 council race against incumbent Councilman Mike Kennedy by five votes. After a legal battle, the margin of that defeat was reduced to three votes. Mayor Sandi Bloem has already announced that she won't seek re-election to a fourth, four-year term. No of the other incumbents who face election -- Kennedy, Deanna Goodlander and Woody McEvers -- have announced whether they will seek re-election. Bloem and the three council members facing re-election survived a recall attempt last year when political opponents failed to get enough signatures to put the matter to a vote.