This week, voting began for the Honorary NYC Dog Mayor Election, promising the calmest, cutest battle of the political season. The current dog-mayor, Sally Long Dog, will soon give her position to one of 15 candidates up for the position.
A distraction from what founder Stephen Calabria of Harlem called “political insanity”, this fun competition is also a great cause. The New York Post describes how the competition helps advocate for “an increase in voter registration and pet adoption”.
Like March Madness, the election is set up in 15 rounds, and weekly Wednesday voting is done through Dog Mayor NYC’s social media until it’s down to two adorable candidates. The final vote will be on Nov 4.
Held every two years, or 14 dog years, the election’s candidates are selected by Calabria. The only rules for entry are that candidates must have some social media presence and reside in one of the five boroughs.
The first round was this past Wednesday, July 24. The final results saw Mini Chocolate Dachshund Pepper win over Rottweiler Zayla, 484 to 355.
Let’s meet some other candidates!
Senior dog Puccini is a Yorkiepoo from Hell’s Kitchen, running with the slogan “Pawsitively Puccini” and a promise of “free tennis balls for all”.
Puccini’s owner, former Radio City Rockette Leslie Riddle, notes the highlights of Puccini’s resume: starring in Peacock’s “Poker Face” as Tim Meadows and Ellen Barkin’s dog, winning the Hudson River Pet Parade’s Best Trick Award, and walking the runway during New York Fashion Week.
Meanwhile, Upper East Side’s 5-year-old Coton de Tulear Shayna Maydele is running with a slogan promising “this fluff accomplishes stuff. Owner Heidi Silverstone states that her four-legged friend is campaigning to end “hissing radiators”.
Posting weekly “Shabbat shalom” messages on her Instagram has given Shayna the title “possibly the most Jewish dog in New York” by NY Jewish Week. Silverstone jokes that Shayna will “paw deliver a challah to City Hall” if she wins.
Meanwhile, hoping to go “From City Shelter to City Hall” is the first adoptable dog to ever be on the ballot: three-year-old Will O’Wisp. Her candidacy might just be what this pup needs to get a forever home.
Don’t forget to check Dog Mayor NYC’s social media and vote for who you want to see in office!
