French Bulldog named Wilbur elected ‘mayor’ of small town
Wilbur #Wilbur
A small town in Kentucky has elected a new mayor that’s “pawsitvely” perfect!
At just 6-months old, .Wilbur the French Bulldog is Rabbit Hash’s fifth dog “mayor.”
“Rabbit Hash, Kentucky, has never had an actual person or human as a mayor,” Amy Noland, Wilbur’s human, told NBC News.
It’s an annual tradition that emerged in the late 1990s in the small town of 500.
“Although it’s not political at all, it always coincides with the presidential election,” Noland explained.
“There was a man named Don Claire who thought it would be a great idea to elect some type of animal — not necessarily a canine — as mayor of town, as a fundraising event for the historical society,” she added.
“Give me liberty or give me…milkbones”-Wilbur Be sure to start your Sunday voting for the #1 candidate for Rabbit…
Posted by Mayor Wilbur of Rabbit Hash KY on Sunday, October 11, 2020
The contest raises money for the Rabbit Hash Historical Society. This year, the organization raised $13,000 with $6,170 of that coming in from Wilbur’s supporters, according to PEOPLE.
Wilbur’s creative campaign slogan, “Give me liberty or give me…milkbones,” likely had something to do with his success.
The pup ran against 16 other candidates including Stella the Fat Cat, Smokey the rooster, and a donkey named Higgins.
Wilbur replaces the historic town’s incumbent “mayor,” a rescued pit bull named Brynneth Pawltrow, who had no known association to Gwyneth Paltrow.
On Facebook, Wilbur and his owners expressed their gratitude and excitement for the victory.
Campaign photos of the pup wearing an American-flag patterned bow tie were also attached.
Since becoming mayor, Wilbur has already met “so many lovely people.”
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…
Posted by Mayor Wilbur of Rabbit Hash KY on Wednesday, November 4, 2020
“I am humbled and beyond thankful for all of the support from far away and right here at home,” his page wrote.
Nolan said she ran her adopted pup’s campaign so that it would be something “positive in the news” amid COVID-19 and the election.
As for Wilbur? He’s handling the responsibilities that come with the territory pretty well. “He’s done a lot of interviews locally, he’s had a lot of pets, a lot of belly scratches and a lot of ear rubs,” she explained.
When asked about his victory by Fox 19 NOW, Wilbur let out a small and gleeful grunt.
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