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Attention, voters: a new candidate has joined the Virginia race for U.S. Senate. Hailing from Springfield, Va., he’s running as an independent, with a platform that centers on job creation.

He’s also a cat.

Hank, 9, is running against former Virginia governors Tim Kaine, a Democrat, and George Allen, a Republican. According to his campaign website, he’s an “energetic, inspiring, and real” candidate, and unlike so many other political frontrunners, he wasn’t born with a “silver spoon.” His pulled-himself-up-by-the-metaphorical-bootstraps story has inspired all who know him, and “he realized that his ideas and unique life experiences could help his community, his state, and his country.”

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According to Hank’s bio, he was rescued by Animal Allies, a volunteer organization based in Fairfax Station, Va., and later adopted by a local family. His campaign has been publicized on his website, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube. He’s vying for the U.S. Senate seat now occupied by Sen. James Webb (D), who has not sought reelection.

Interested parties can volunteer to work on the campaign, write promotional letters or subscribe to Hank’s newsletter. According to his Facebook page, for each new “like” Hank receives, whoever is actually operating his campaign will donate $1 to the Fairfax County Humane Society.

Unfortunately for Hank, current regulations prohibit animals from serving in Congress. But in one Kentucky town, a dog serves as mayor, so there’s no reason for Hank to give up. As he says himself, “with hard work and dedication anyone can seize the opportunities” presented by this great nation.

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