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Hank the cat runs for Senate, faces negative ad from dogs
The 9-year-old Maine Coon, who is running as an independent candidate for the U.S. Senate seat in Virginia, supports spaying-and-neutering programs.
Wed, Mar 07 2012 at 12:14 PM
PURRFECT CANDIDATE: Hank's political career began when he was a write-in candidate in a recent state election in Virginia. (Photo: hankforsenate.com)
The Virginia Senate race is turning into quite the catfight now that Hank the cat has thrown his paw into the race.
Hank, a moderate, is a 9-year-old Maine Coon who is running as an independent against former Govs. George Allen (R) and Tim Kaine (D) for the state’s open Senate seat. A Virginia native, Hank has no previous political experience, but he has a wealth of life experience: Born to a single mother and raised on the streets, Hank clawed his way to the top and now lives a comfortable life with his owner, Anthony Roberts.
In fact, it’s Hank’s unique background that makes him such a qualified candidate, according to his campaign manager, Matthew O’Leary. “It definitely gives him a great insight into how difficult it is to live on the streets and to almost being put down. He realizes that the judicial system needs reworking and that there needs to be opportunities for everyone,” he says.
Hank, who has an affinity for cheese and plaid ties, supports spaying-and-neutering programs and job creation for Virginians, the latter of which is a hot issue for Allen and Kaine. The other Senate candidates have been embroiled in economic debates, which has given Hank a shot at sinking his claws into undecided voters.
Hank’s political career began when O’Leary ran the cat as a write-in candidate in a recent state election as a joke. The furry feline received nine votes, so Roberts and O’Leary launched Hank’s campaign. Since then, the cat’s sudden spate of publicity has crashed his website, HankForSenate.com.
In addition to his website, Hank’s campaign has been publicized on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube, and the politically minded feline has even done a television interview.
“There seems to be a whole lot of support right now,” O’Leary said. “He’s very hopeful that this grassroots support will explode and get a lot of people interested in him.”
But while Hank has refrained from mudslinging, he's recently become the target of a negative ad sponsored by Canines for a Feline-Free Tomorrow. The ad points out that Hank has never released his birth certificate or responded to allegations that he's used catnip, and that while Hank says he's been to the vet, there's no record of his serving in any military branch.
Despite these negative attacks, Hank has garnered a great deal of support, but he still faces one large political hurdle: Current regulations prohibit animals from serving in Congress. But if a dog can serve as mayor of a Kentucky town, surely it’s only a matter of time until we have a senator with whiskers. As Hank states on his website, "with hard work and dedication anyone can seize the opportunities."
Check out Hank's campaign commercial below to see how he'll work to make sure America stays "the greatest land of all."
Photos: HankForSenate.com
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I adopted my Maine Coone from the shelter. Think he was a stray.
Me and my family are voting for HANK!! You go Hank!! Our Maine Coon will run for the Governor of Georgia. I know he will do good on his job. Maine Coon never been born in the street. I have one be buy him from the breeder.
There are a lot of Maine Coons born in the streets. The M on forhead indicates the Coon cat. You should never buy from breeders .... the are wonderful pure breed cats at Humane Societys, ASPCA and many other rescue groups.
"The M on forhead indicates the Coon cat."
Tabby cats also have the M on the forehead.
WOW - I'd vote for Hank! He can't do any worse then what's been in there for the last few years - and, he's better looking then all of the president's we've had! GO HANK!!!
Spaying and beutering violates Cat - o - loic Natural Law!!
He has GOT to be the best choice out there. Sorry I don't live in VA but if I did, I would certainly vote for HANK!
The US constitution states that a candidate must be 30 years of age and a US citizen. hank was born on the streets and is 9 years old which converts to 52 human years. No where in the US constitution does it say the a candidate must be human.
Hank is 9 cat years that converts to 52 human years. The age limit set in the US Constitution is mus be 30 years of age and a US citizen and hank was born in the US. No where in the US Constitution does it say that a candidate must be human to serve in congress.
Well, our "Sissy", herself a Maine Coon gives you her full support! She is spayed sadly because she and Hank could make lovely babies!
I think he should run for president!
At least this one will have a legitimate excuse to tomcat around!
Hank, if I lived in Virginia, you would have my vote!!!
The Lovely Hank has my Vote!
He would have my vote if I lived there.
Hank should run for President - he'd beat the current Republican nominees!!!
Please come to California! Be the freaking Govenor!!! We need you!
Bet he does better than nine votes!
Hank has my vote!!!
Please, come to California & run! We need your feline wisdom.
Ahhh, heeeees sooooo handsome. The purrfect candidate.
I'm a 12 yr old Maine Coon and I'll be your running mate anytime !
Yayyyy!! It's about time a cat entered politics- we need some serious feline power!!!
He sure would be better than anything we have now!!!!! He's got my vote!!!!
Hank, gorgeous! I am behind you all the way - Show the people
When elected, I will have Brunello, a super orange cat run in Canada too!... purrfect
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