The cat mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska has enjoyed his position for 15 years now, and is considered by many to be the town’s most popular tourist attraction. Stubbs the cat, who calls locally-owned Nagley’s General Store his home, has roughly 1,000 followers on Facebook, exceeding the town’s population by at least 100. Although his position is honorary, his story is captivating enough to ensnare the attention of anyone who has grown tired of choosing the lesser of the evils when it comes time for mayoral elections.
Several years ago, residents of Talkeetna were none too pleased with the choices they were given at the ballot box. Instead of choosing one loser over another, several individuals thought it would be amusing to have people cast their votes for Stubbs the Cat as a write-in candidate. Much to the town’s surprise, Stubbs won the election fair and square. Sadly, a cat cannot hold a position of office, forcing the feline to accept an honorary title, instead. No word how the actual candidates felt about the election, though I’m sure it stung like hell.
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Over the past decade-and-a-half, Stubbs has enjoyed quite a bit of popularity, drawing in dozens of folks from all walks of life who are curious to get a look at the world’s first feline mayor. “He was just in the Alaska Magazine, and he’s been featured in a few different things,” said Lauri Stec, an employee of Nagley’s. “Oh my gosh, we probably have 30 to 40 people a day come in who are tourists wanting to see him.”
Although Stubbs is more than happy to schmooze with those who stop in to say hello, he simply cannot be bothered when it comes to his scheduled daily meeting at the general store. “Every day he goes in there and has catnip in a wine glass,” resident Jerry Roach explained. “I’m very confident that Talkeena will be A-OK, as long as we have Stubbs around.”
Personally, I don’t have any problem whatsoever electing a cat as mayor. Not only would we get long, comfy naps in the afternoon, herbal highs would suddenly become legal for all. As long as the feline in question didn’t turn Main Street into one giant litter box, I can honestly say I’d toss a vote his or her way. And people say I lack political opinions.