A Cat Got Elected as Mayor? Yep, This Actually Happened!



Ever feel like politics is a bit of a circus? Well… in one small town in Alaska, it actually became a zoo—sort of. Let me introduce you to Mayor Stubbs, a ginger tabby cat who served as the honorary mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, for a whopping 20 years. And no, this isn’t some internet hoax—it really happened.

It all started in 1997, when the residents of Talkeetna weren’t too impressed with the candidates running for mayor. So, in an act of protest or maybe just good humor, someone wrote in the name of a kitten—Stubbs. The joke took off, and somehow, Stubbs won. That’s how a young cat, not even a year old, became one of the most famous mayors in Alaska.

Now, let’s be clear—Stubbs didn’t actually pass laws or attend city council meetings (thankfully). Talkeetna didn’t even officially have a mayoral system at the time. But the town embraced the idea, and Stubbs quickly became a local legend. Every day, he would lounge around in the local general store, sipping on his favorite treat: water laced with catnip, served in a wine glass.

Tourists from around the world started coming to meet this feline mayor. Some even claimed it was the best part of their Alaskan trip. Stubbs posed for thousands of photos, got featured on major news outlets like CNN and the BBC, and brought a quirky kind of fame to his tiny hometown.

Stubbs also had his fair share of dramatic moments. He once survived a dog attack that left him needing stitches. He also fell into a restaurant fryer (don’t worry—it wasn’t hot). Yet each time, he bounced back, gaining even more fans along the way. Talk about nine lives, right?

He became more than just a town mascot—he was a symbol of what made Talkeetna special. The town never officially replaced him because, well, no human could quite live up to Stubbs. He didn’t raise taxes. He didn’t send out angry tweets. He didn’t argue with anyone. He just chilled in the store, greeted tourists, and kept the peace—something many politicians could learn from.

Stubbs continued his duties until 2017, when he passed away peacefully in his sleep at the age of 20. His death made headlines around the world. Fans from every corner of the globe paid tribute on social media, and the town mourned the loss of their unique and beloved leader.

Today, you can still visit the store where Stubbs once ruled. The owners even considered grooming one of their other cats to carry on his legacy. Whether or not that ever truly happened doesn’t matter—because Stubbs’ impact is still very much alive.

This story may sound like something out of a feel-good movie, but it’s completely real. In a world where politics can get messy, angry, and downright exhausting, Stubbs the cat reminds us that sometimes the best leaders aren’t the loudest or the most powerful—they’re just the ones who make us smile.

So next time you're frustrated with politicians or feeling like nothing makes sense anymore, just remember: there was once a small town that said “no thanks” to traditional leaders and put their faith in a fuzzy little feline. And honestly? It worked out just fine.

But Stubbs wasn’t just a quirky story for the headlines—he also became a symbol of unity in a divided world. In a time when most news is filled with scandals and negativity, this story of a sleepy ginger cat leading a town captured hearts worldwide. Schools even used Stubbs as an example in lessons about leadership and community. His story popped up in blogs, books, travel shows—you name it. Some fans mailed him birthday cards. Others brought gifts or treats during their vacations to Alaska. He had fans from Japan, Germany, and Australia who followed his "political career" from afar. Not bad for a cat with no campaign budget. In the end, Stubbs didn’t need speeches or debates—just a comfy counter and a lot of charm