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After a week of contentious partisan election madness, let’s look at one election where every dog had its day. On October 29th, Morongo Valley, an unincorporated area near Joshua Tree National Park, swore in its very first dog mayor.
Organized by Buddy and Tammy Stogner of the Morongo Valley Youth Softball League, his newly created political position was also assisted by Alison Nikvar, who owns American Fuel and Food on the west end of Morongo Valley where she was in charge of the sign-up sheet. Though her dog, Roxy, was an early favorite, all good dogs were encouraged to run in the race.
Alison’s dog Roxy might be the most locally notable, sitting outside the front door of American Fuel and Food all day greeting customers with soulful eyes, and the placement of the gas station as the first business at Morongo city limits gives Roxy an advantage for the town’s mascot at its very gates. But before you accuse Roxy of election corruption or nepotism, Alison says “For a fair election, this has to be open to all dogs “
While Buddy and Tammy organized the race for Morongo Valley’s dog mayor, there is a rich history of dog mayors in other unincorporated American towns.
Not far away in Idyllwild, there was Mayor Max 2, a golden retriever who took office in 2014 after original mayor Max 1 passed away during his second term. Formerly known as Maximus Mighty Dog Mueller the 2nd, Mayor Max 2 continued the traditions of Max 1, wearing a tie and often a hat, greeting visitors to downtown Idyllwild where citizens could schedule appointments with the flaxen-haired civic-minded canine. Mayor Max also attended local grand openings, appeared in town parades, and promoted the goodwill of Idyllwild before he passed earlier this year on July 30th.
Eleven dogs joined Roxy on the ballot in the month leading up to the election.
- Eleanor “Ella” Jane
- Smash
- Tinker Bell
- Sweetie Girl
- Fred Mertz
- Nova Ann
- Picco
- Dazy Gilmond
- Ruby-Girl
- Buddy Boy
- Brody
But only one dog could win, and the Morongo Valley electorate voted for Roxy. On October 29th, Roxy was sworn in at a ceremony in the midst of the Halloween Extravaganza at Covington Park by Morongo Valley Fire Chief James Brakebill.
Donned in a red, white, and blue top hat and commemorative blue ribbon, Roxy was sworn in by Brakebill followed by a round of applause by local citizens. Nikyar spoke on Roxy’s behalf as she was mobbed by the local press and paparazzi. “Roxy wants to thank all her local supporters for showing her endless love and support. Whether you voted for her or for any other dog, she hopes everyone had fun.”
Another shop dog, Smash, owned by the proprietors of The Hippie Chicken, came in second place, and third place was given to Nova Ann.
Here’s Gabe with more:
“While it could have been fraught with speculations of election fraud or nepotism considering Nikvar, Mayor Roxy’s owner, assisted in election organizing, Nikvar followed through with her promises of fair election practice open to all dogs of Morongo Valley. And with a bone-dropping twelve dogs total who participated in the electoral race, every dog was a winner when Brakebill gave a mass Oath of Office to swear in the remaining contestants as honorary council members.”
With recent population growth in Morongo Valley, including the opening of various new businesses, will Roxy follow the traditions of Idyllwild’s Mayor Max for Morongo Valley? “Roxy’s done community outreach as an animal mascot for the tee ball team The Underdogs, as part of the Morongo Valley Youth Sports League, and we’ll have her go to other events and such. Right now she’s available at the store (American Fuel and Food) if people want to greet the Mayor and let her know of any complaints in town.”
Sometimes it’s good when politics goes to the dogs.
