As the United States eagerly waits for the results of the current presidential election, a small town in the state of Kentucky has elected a dog as its new mayor.
It has been a longstanding tradition for the citizens of Rabbit Hash to elect dogs as heads of their community. This year is no different — the tradition lives on as the French Bulldog Wilbur Beast has been voted into office.
“Mayoral election in Rabbit Hash has been called! Wilbur Beast is the new mayor with an amazing 13,143 votes (highest winning total ever) toward an election total of 22,985!!! (Also the highest total ever for a Rabbit Hash election),” the Rabbit Hash Historical Society announced via Facebook on Nov. 4.
Mayor Wilbur Beast, who also advocates for breast cancer and mental health awareness, has since expressed his gratitude to his supporters via his Facebook page for the big win.
“Mayor Wilbur here! I got to meet so many lovely people in the last 24 hours… and I can’t wait to meet so many more. I am humbled and beyond thankful for all of the support from far away and right here at home,” he said.
Lady Stone — a Border Collie, of course — meanwhile took to her own Facebook page to share the results and noted that she is looking forward to working with the new mayor and his handler, Amy Noland.
Wilbur Beast won over other adorable candidates such as Jack Rabbit, a Beagle, and Poppy, a Golden Retriever, who placed second and third, respectively. The two will be serving as ambassadors alongside Lady Stone instead.
The said elections are held not entirely for fun, however, as the money raised actually went to the town’s historical society. Rabbit Hash citizens are required to pay $1 for each vote.
The said community of just a few hundred people have been electing dogs since its founding in the 1990s, as per Fox News yesterday, Nov. 5.
“It’s an exciting adventure and a deeply meaningful cause to preserve the river hamlet town of Rabbit Hash, Ky.,” Noland and Wilbur Beast were quoted as saying in a written statement.
“The town welcomes visitors and will continue to provide fun events for all ages to come experience the nostalgia and charm we have to offer,” the tandem added. NVG
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