Dog in running to be mayor of Oakland

YOU wait ages for a dog-to-become-politician story and then two come along at once.

Who wouldn't vote for this canine candidate? Picture: einsteinforoakland.org

Einstein the dog - a Catahoula - is running for mayor of Oakland, hoping to emulate Pyrenean Mountain Dog Duke, who was voted in as mayor of the Minnesota town of Cormorant back in August.

And now activists from the Occupy Oakland movement are backing Einstein’s bid to take over mayoral duties from incumbent Jean Quan.

His website - einsteinforoakland.org - includes a statement, reading: “I like to run. A LOT! So make no mistake, I can make it all the way to the finish line, and I invite you to join me!”

And Einstein even has a political adviser.

Michael Wilson told the Huffington Post: “There is a legitimate reason to wonder whether a dog can serve as mayor of Oakland, but he provides a great voice for low-income and otherwise marginalised people who live in Oakland.

“They have no candidate to represent them.”

Einstein is legally unable to become mayor of Oakland, but his team are encouraging disillusioned voters to promote the pooch’s campaign and cast their ballot for the only four-legged candidate.

County law states that office seekers must be citizens and registered voters.

CBS San Francisco reported that Einstein presented his alternative platform in front of City Hall on Thursday.

Catahoula hounds are traditionally bred as hunting dogs in the state of Louisiana, and while Einstein lacks that instinct, his team don’t believe it will hamper his chances.

Wilson added: “We don’t feel competing and trying to undermine our opponents serves the interest of people we’d like to serve.”