Cormorant Township Elects a Dog as Mayor—Again

"We've never had a mayor before. In 2015 we decided, hey, let's get a mayor." — Tammy Odegaard, Chairperson of Cormorant Daze

In 2015, the small town of Cormorant, Minnesota, decided to elect a mayor as a fun way to raise funds for their summertime festival, Cormorant Daze. What they didn't expect was that a dog, a beloved neighborhood Great Pyrenees named Duke, would be voted into office. Duke served as mayor until he retired in June 2018, and the tradition fizzled out after his passing in February 2019.

A New Election

Fast forward to 2024, with politics at the forefront of everyone's minds, the town decided to revive the tradition. From Memorial Day to the Fourth of July, nominations were accepted, and the top three candidates were announced: Khaleesi Sherbrooke (a Great Pyrenees), Ollie Einerson (an 8-month-old Golden Retriever mix), and Theodore H. Rosten (a 3-year-old Bassett Hound).

"This year, with the national election going on, everybody has politics at the top of their mind." — Tammy Odegaard

And the Winner Is...

Khaleesi, named after a character from "Game of Thrones," swept the election with a landslide victory of 103,000 votes. Her extensive campaigning paid off, and she will be sworn in as the town's second canine mayor during the 13th Annual Cormorant Daze Festival.

Odegaard attributes Khaleesi's win to her popularity and friendliness, especially after spending a lot of time with construction workers in Idaho before moving to Cormorant this spring.

Khaleesi's responsibilities will include representing the town at events and participating in parades and fundraising for the local humane society.

A Lighthearted Break from Traditional Politics

With a population of only 1,407, Cormorant Township has found a unique way to engage its community and bring lighthearted fun to the often serious world of politics.

For more information:

• Meet the Cormorant Township Board.
• Learn more about the 2024 Animal Mayor candidates.
• Discover the population of Cormorant Township.