Some towns have animal mayors who like to drink beer, which may surprise you. #3 beer-loving mayor.

Did you know that in different parts of the world, towns have chosen to have animals as their mayors? It may sound like a joke, but these furry leaders have actually become beloved figures in their communities. How did this come to be, and does it actually work?

The tradition of electing animals as mayors is often seen as a form of protest against corrupt politics, a way to boost tourism, or simply for fun. In small towns where there is no real need for a mayor, choosing an animal as a mascot is a way to bring a sense of unity and identity. Let's take a look at some of the most famous cases of animal mayors.

One notable example is Mayor Stubbs, a cat who was elected as honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska in 1997. The residents were dissatisfied with the human candidates, so they wrote in Stubbs as a joke. To their surprise, he won and remained in office for an impressive 20 years! Tourists flocked to meet him, and local businesses thrived from the extra attention. Stubbs could often be found ruling from a general store, greeting visitors and occasionally sipping on catnip-infused water from a margarita glass.

Another beloved mayor was Duke, a Great Pyrenees dog who was first elected in 2014 in Cormorant, Minnesota. He won in a landslide and was re-elected four more times. Duke's duties included leading parades and posing for photos, making the town famous for its canine mayor. Sadly, Duke passed away in 2019, leaving behind a legacy as one of America's most popular mayors.

In Lajitas, Texas, a goat named Clay Henry was elected as mayor in 1986. His unique trait? He loved to drink beer! Tourists would bring him bottles, and he would drink straight from the bottle. Since then, multiple "Clay Henry" successors have continued the tradition, making it a dynasty of beer-drinking goat mayors.

Bosco, a black Labrador-Rottweiler mix, was elected as mayor of Sunol, California in 1981 and served until his death in 1994. The town took great pride in their "mayor" and used him as a symbol of their local identity. In an ironic twist, Chinese newspapers once reported the story as an example of how Western democracy was flawed because Americans "elected a dog as mayor."

So why do people elect animals as mayors? It can be seen as a form of protest against traditional politicians, a way to boost tourism and publicity, or simply for fun. In many cases, it brings a sense of joy and unity to the community to rally around their furry leader.

But does it actually work? While these animal mayors don't make any policy decisions, they often bring a sense of morale and joy to their towns. In small towns where the mayor's role is mostly symbolic, having a friendly dog or cat in office can be more valuable than real politics.

And it's not just cats and dogs who have been elected to political office. Here are some other animals who have held honorary positions:

- Mayor Max II: A Golden Retriever who served as the second canine mayor of Idyllwild-Pine Cove, California from 2013 to 2022.
- Mayor Murfee: A Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who was elected as mayor of Fair Haven, Vermont in 2020 and served until 2021.
- Mayor Parker: A Bernese Mountain Dog who currently serves as the honorary mayor of Georgetown, Colorado and the official mascot of the Loveland Ski Area.
- Mayor Khaleesi Sherbrooke: A dog who was elected as the mayor of Cormorant, Minnesota in 2024, following the tenure of Mayor Duke.
- Mayor Wilbur: A French Bulldog who was elected as the mayor of Rabbit Hash, Kentucky in 2020 as a fundraising event for the Rabbit Hash Historical Society.
- Mayor Jinx: A cat who served as the first pet mayor of Hell, Michigan for a day as part of the town's "Mayor of the Day" package.
- Mayor Elsa: A Nubian goat who was elected as the third animal mayor of Fair Haven, Vermont in 2022, succeeding Mayor Murfee.

These examples showcase the whimsical and community-driven spirit behind electing animals to honorary political positions. While they may not perform any legislative functions, they often serve as mascots, bringing joy and unity to their towns.

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