One of the first female mayors in Kentucky history was from a small town called Rabbit Hash. She was also a border collie, ran under the slogan “The Bitch You Can Count On,” and held the seat for eight years, from 2008 to 2016. Today, Rabbit Hash is gearing up for its sixth election. The incumbent, a Frenchie named Wilbur, is not running again, so the field is wide open for an underdog—or any dog—to win.
Every four to eight years since 1998, the unincorporated community in the northern part of the state heads to the polls. Usually in tune with the U.S. presidential cycle, these contests go far beyond elephants and donkeys—though donkeys have appeared on the ballot. “There have been so many candidates that have gotten into the race, from chickens, cats, dogs, pigs, the whole shebang,” says Crystal Fite, the owner of Opie, a current candidate and a poodle. Humans can enter too, but to date, only canine contenders have won.
Life in the quaint town of Rabbit Hash revolves around the General Store, a nearly two-hundred-year-old shop that backs up to the Ohio River. It’s also where the tally of votes resides, on a small black chalkboard decorated with images of the candidates. Visitors often stop at the scenic spot for a break in a long motorcycle ride—plus a lick or sniff from the mayor.
Voting costs a dollar, and all funds go to the Rabbit Hash Historical Society. Anyone can vote, regardless of where they live, up until the evening of November 8. “We encourage you to vote often and early,” says Terrie Markesbery, the proprietor of the General Store and owner of candidate Pablo, a yellow Lab.
Below, meet some of this year’s candidates.
Pablo
Upon visiting Rabbit Hash, it’s impossible to miss the General Store, and almost equally as difficult to not bump into six-year-old Pablo. “Our slogan is ‘A Mayor That’s There,’” says Markesbery, proprietor of the store, where the yellow Lab spends his days sniffing customers. (“It’s one of his biggest campaigning tools.”) Pablo might also be the most educated canine candidate in Rabbit Hash history after spending a year at the University of Louisville with Markesbery’s daughter.
Cash
Four-year-old Cash came into Todd Macklin’s life when they both needed each other. Macklin, whose wife had just passed away, adopted Cash after the pup had been abused by his previous owners. “He rescued me as much as I rescued him,” he says. This dogo Argentino understands English and Spanish and spends his free time riding with the motorcycle community of Rabbit Hash. But don’t let his tough-looking hobby fool you; Cash is ninety pounds of pure sweetness.
Opie
Right around Valentine’s Day, a friend told Crystal Fite they had found someone just her type—an eight-month-old puppy with “crazy hair” who had been rescued from an illegal dog breeder. “I fell in love with him,” she says. Now, the one-year-old standard poodle is trying to win more hearts across Rabbit Hash. Named after Opie Taylor from the Andy Griffith Show, the well-coiffed pup is running on the platform that “Every Small Town Needs an Opie,” Fite says.
Boone
Out of all the candidates, nine-month-old Boone might be running the fiercest campaign. The bluetick coonhound has a bustling social media presence, a logo, and an endorsement from the current mayor, Wilbur. But life isn’t all work for the growing rescue pup. His current obsession is swimming, and he’s already declared himself a family man, says owner Dave Landwehr. Boone regularly takes breaks from sniffing butts on the campaign trail to reunite with his mom and siblings.
Geoffrey
Geoffrey’s owner, Ryan Sparks, grew up around the dog mayors of Rabbit Hash. When he moved back after living in Oregon, he knew it was time to enter a dog of his own. Of his two German shepherds, Geoffrey was the obvious choice for public office. The extrovert of the family, he loves to socialize and entertain, Sparks says. Geoffrey, full name Sir Geoffrey Von Woofenstein, is running under the slogan “Every Town Deserves a Good Dog.”
Maggie
Magnolia the black Lab, aka Maggie, is a candidate for all animals. The rescue certainly has a paw on the pulse of the feline community, as her best friend is a feral cat named Jellybean, says owner Chad Scalf. When not fraternizing with the dogs, cats, and people of Rabbit Hash, Maggie loves swimming, playing catch, and watching sunsets by the General Store. If she wins the election, she will become the second black Lab in Rabbit Hash mayoral history, after the 2004 mayor, Junior.