NYC's Adorable New Mayor: Simon the Basset Hound

New York City has a new mayor, and he's got four paws and a lot of charm! Simon, a basset hound and cattle dog mix, was sworn in as the city's second honorary dog mayor on January 26th. The indoguration ceremony outside City Hall was attended by several prominent officials, including Council Member Erik Bottcher and Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.

Simon's Campaign and Platform:

Simon's campaign focused on promoting animal rescue and adoption in NYC. He won a thrilling election against Bertram the Pomeranian (who sadly passed away before assuming his role as deputy mayor). Pepper, a mini chocolate dachshund, was subsequently sworn in as Simon's chief deputy.

Who is Simon?

Simon, a 7-year-old rescue dog, arrived in NYC in 2021 via Hearts & Bones Rescue in Texas. He lives on the Upper West Side with his adopter, Sophie Vershbow, who aims to use Simon's platform to advocate for animal welfare.

The Election Process:

The election, spearheaded by Stephen Calabria, involved a significant online voting process. There were challenges with bot accounts, but ultimately Simon was declared the winner.

A Nationwide Trend:

Simon isn't alone! Several other US towns and cities have dog mayors, including Cormorant, Minnesota (Khaleesi Sherbrooke) and Idyllwild, California (Max).

Simon's Future:

Simon's mayoral duties will include attending city events and advocating for animal rescue and adoption. The dog mayor elections are planned to be held every three years.