Rabbit Hash dog mayor to announce something big

If you think you already know who you’re going to vote for in the upcoming presidential election, hold on.

There’s a Boone County official who’s ready to toss her name into the race.

She has the adoration of many, not only in Northern Kentucky but nationwide. She has been profiled in national news stories, and no one’s dug up any dirt on her – although she’s dug dirt herself.

She is Lucy Lou, the mayor of the tiny town of Rabbit Hash. She is a dog. And she plans to run for U.S president in 2016.

Think that’s odd? Well, maybe. But there have been a lot of unusual characters declaring their candidacy for president in 2016. The last few weeks have spawned a flurry of folks (think Deez Nuts) who have filed paperwork with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to start raising money for a presidential campaign. And animals have declared themselves presidential candidates in years gone by.

Lucy Lou, a border collie who has run Rabbit Hash, population 315, for seven years, has not yet filed her paperwork. But she is expected to announce her run for president at the Old Timers Day events Sept. 5.

“There will be much fanfare,” said Bobbi Kayser, Lucy Lou’s “chief executive of staff,” owner, and secretary of the Rabbit Hash Historical Society.

Lucy Lou is the longest surviving mayor of the unincorporated hamlet, having been voted in Nov. 4, 2008, “the same night the guy up there in the White House was elected,” Kayser noted.

Here’s what the Rabbit Hash Historical Society had to say about election night: “An estimated 21.5 percent of local registered and unregistered voters swarmed the polls here in Rabbit Hash, Kentucky for the 2008 Mayoral election. ... Ten dogs, one cat, one opossum, one jackass and one human being vied for the ultimate position of political power in this small Ohio River community in Boone County, Kentucky.”

Lucy Lou ran on the slogan, “The Bitch You Can Count On.” No kidding.

As the tale (or, maybe, tail) goes, she got into politics for the same reason her predecessor dog-mayors did:

“Somebody up the road decided most politicians are dogs anyway,” Kayser said. “Why not put a real dog in office?”

Just as Goofy Borneman and Junior Cochran won the hearts of voters – who each paid a dollar as he or she voted – Lucy Lou earned $8,087 for upgrades to Rabbit Hash with her election in 2008.

You see, an election, said Kayser, is a way to get people to come forth and give. The first was put on to earn funds to help with upkeep of the historic East Bend Baptist Church in nearby Union.

The sad news, perhaps, for Rabbit Hash residents, is that Lucy Lou will not continue as mayor for much longer.

She also plans to announce her retirement during Old Timers Day.

“You cannot be mayor for life,” Kayser said on the dog’s behalf.

Lucy Lou’s bio

• Lucy Lou seemed a natural for a mayoral role when she came to Rabbit Hash at just eight weeks old and Mayor Junior Cochran was in office

• As soon as she got big enough, Lucy Lou would run to the latest visitors to Rabbit Hash and lead them on “guided tours” of the town

• Her office is in a place known simply as “the Barn,” on Lower River Road

• Elected in 2008, she has been in office longer than her predecessors

• She has been grand marshal of parades, had appearances on national TV, radio, digital and print media and has starred in informational documentaries about Rabbit Hash. Think: movie star president?