Gullfport Pet Mayor Election

Everyone knows that Gulfport's pets are the best critters around. And while we do a lot as a town to celebrate our fine furry and feathered friends, the Gulfport Historical Society, in partnership with SPCA Tampa Bay, aims to extend a tradition that recognizes their extraordinary purr-tential: the Gulfport Pet Mayor election.

In February 2020, Gulfport joined the ranks of several forward-thinking small towns across the country who have boosted civic pride while honoring the companions that make life extra-nice by electing pet “paw-fficers” to public office. Coco, the beloved resident canine of Gulfport’s Historic Peninsula Inn became Gulfport’s first Pet Mayor, taking her place alongside Idyllwild, California’s Mayor Max (Golden Retriever); Omena, Michigan’s Mayor Rosie Disch (also a Golden Retriever); and Talkeetna, Alaska’s Mayor Stubbs (cat), who served in his position for a whopping 20 years.  

Now the time has come for Gulportians to uphold our pet-friendly reputation by nominating another ballot of hardworking doglegates, catdidates, and of-fowl-cers for Gulfport’s Pet Mayor.

The Rules

• All nominees must live within Gulfport city limits
• All nominees must be spayed or neutered (where applicable)
• All nominees (and their humans) should understand this is a symbolic position. Pet Mayors do not hold any real power – other than the power of unbridled cuteness!
• Nominations close on Wednesday, Jan. 5. There is no cost to nominate your pet.

Voting

Voting opens in early January. Fans can support their candidates by voting (as often as they like) online, at the Gulfport History Museum, and at select locations across town – each vote costs $1. We’ll announce the winners at Gulfport’s Get Rescued on Feb. 26. All proceeds benefit the Gulfport Historical Society and SPCA Tampa Bay, a non-profit animal welfare agency that runs an open-admission animal shelter and public pet hospital. SPCA Tampa Bay has served Tampa Bay for more than 80 years. 

Nominations

Nominate your furry (or scaly, or feathered) BFF here, and give your pet the chance they deserve to stand up and lead the pack!