Few people are bold enough to try running for public office and even fewer successfully win their elections. We are in the throes of election season for better or for worse. The last couple of elections have proven to be a never-ending saga of stress.

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However, one town here in Michigan has found a way to elect someone, or rather something, that has received bi-partisan support and routinely receives a 1000% approval rating. Their secret? Elect an animal for mayor.

dog in the rain
damedeeso
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Omena, Michigan

Located in the "little pinkie" of Michigan and sporting a massive population of 256 residents, Omena is 40 miles north of the Sleeping Bear Dunes and is home to the well-known Leelanau Cellars. The town began its animal mayorship in 2009 as a fundraiser for the Omena Historical Society. However, the fundraiser quickly went viral and this tiny town of 256 was suddenly being name-dropped by Anderson Cooper on CNN.

The town had a history of electing dogs as mayors but has since branched out to allow all animals, with a cat (Sweet Tart) winning in 2018. Omena Mayors have a history of being single-term candidates, and this year's winner has proven to cause quite a commotion.

Read More: Should Michigan Start Its Own 'Fat Bear Week'? |

Mayor Bosco, The Controversial Horse

While Sweet Tart the Cat shook up the status dog quo, this election cycle's mayor has completely turned Omena on its head by electing Bosco the Horse. 

Mayor Bosco, full name Lucky Dinero Bosco, has not only disrupted the "2-species system" that has become traditional in Omena but has caused controversy because he is not even based in Omena.

Lucky Dinero Bosco, Mayor of Omena
Omena Historical Society
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The 16-year-old horse has spent his whole life in Cave Creek, Arizona, over 2000 miles away. His age and location have created quite an "uproar" among the locals. The election is all in good fun, but how a horse will fit inside an office is beyond me.

Omena Historical Society
Omena Historical Society
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You can view Bosco's entire council including the Vice Mayors and Deputy Vice Mayor here.

Winners of Michigan 'I Voted' Sticker Competition - Including Viral Werewolf Design

In Spring of 2024, Michigan launched the "I Voted" sticker design contest.

More than 480 designs were submitted and over 57,700 public votes were cast for the winners.

Three winning designs were selected from each separate category:
  • Elementary/middle school (grades K-8)
  • High school (grades 9-12)
  • General entry (open to Michigan residents of all ages)
Check out the nine winners below, including a werewolf design by a middle-schooler that people are LOVING online.

Gallery Credit: Janna

These 11 Places In Michigan Are Constantly Mispronounced

Whether you're a local or a transplant, plenty of people have trouble pronouncing these Michigan cities/towns/etc. Pronunciations provided by the State of Michigan.

Gallery Credit: Tommy McNeill

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