FLINT, MI -- Giggles isn't your typical pig in the city. In fact, her owner has dreams that Giggles will run it.

In a bizarre turn of events that has already set the stage for the possibility of a blank mayoral ballot in Flint, local defense attorney Michael Ewing is trying to enter his pet pig, Giggles, into a race that could already consist of all write-in candidates.

While Ewing said Giggles would bring a term of calm and civility to the often tumultuous mayor's office, it isn't exactly clear if the nearly 1-year-old mini-pig can even legally run a write-in campaign.

If Giggles were somehow elected, Giggles would join the ranks of a handful of other animals, including dogs, cats and a beer-swilling billy goat, to be elected to leadership positions around the country.

The announcement that Giggles was seeking to become the next mayor of Flint was made when Ewing launched a Facebook page Monday, May 4, following news earlier this week that no names would appear on the upcoming mayoral primary ballot because a clerical error resulted in the wrong date given to candidates to submit their nominating petitions and signatures on time.

Four candidates who submitted signatures were told they missed the signature deadline by a week.

Ewing said he believes an all-write-in mayoral race will result in residents electing an unqualified leader.

The main platform of Giggles' candidacy, Ewing said, is to bring public attention and transparency to the race.

"If we elect someone who is not up to the challenge, we'll be right back to the state of Michigan emergency manager again," Ewing said.

So far, Giggles' campaign has caught the attention of numerous people around Flint.

The Facebook page surged in popularity, gaining more than 700 likes in just a matter of days. Other attorneys, law enforcement officers and elected officials have all added their online support. The campaign is also encouraging people to support Giggles on Twitter by using the #Giggles4Flint hashtag.

Now, Ewing and Giggles plan to hit the street, giving city residents the opportunity to meet their next potential leader.

"I don't want to turn it into a laughingstock," Ewing said. "I don't know how else to get people to pay attention."

However, not everyone has bought into Giggles' candidacy and Ewing's assessment of Flint's political scene.

Mayoral candidate Karen Weaver, who along with incumbent Mayor Dayne Walling was one of four people notified their names wouldn't appear on the primary ballot, called Giggles' candidacy and the deadline snafu a "mockery of the democratic process."

Weaver said the decision to keep the candidates' names off the ballot ultimately hurts the people of Flint and allows for situations such as Giggles' candidacy to occur.

"I didn't see any pig walking around getting signatures," Weaver said.

City councilman and mayoral candidate Eric Mays also has concerns regarding his barnyard challenger.

"Does the pig know about economic development?" Mays asked. "Does a pig know about quality water?"

Mays was initially the only candidate set to appear during the primary, guaranteeing him the only spot on the November general election ballot. However, city officials announced his name would be removed from the ballot after it was discovered that a small portion of the 900 signatures he needed were submitted after the April 21 deadline.

However, even if Mays is forced to face Giggles as a fellow write-in candidate, he thinks he'd still have the leg-up since his name is easier to spell than Giggles the Pig.

Fellow councilman and candidate Wantwaz Davis also took issue with Giggles' campaign.

"Putting a pig in a race is an offense to the character and moral value we're trying to exemplify in the city," Davis said.

Davis said Ewing's efforts should be put toward helping better the city of Flint and finding jobs for the people he represents in the court system.

"I think, being a criminal defense attorney, the first thing he should be thinking about is defending the reputation of the city," Davis said.

Davis also took the time to sound off on Giggles' Facebook page.

"...I will be the next mayor of Flint, Michigan, and will feast off of your pig at my victory party, you can get in for free, VIP on me," Davis wrote.

Walling could not be reached for comment.

Despite the criticism, Ewing is moving forward with Giggles' campaign. But, it's unclear if the results of their efforts will ever be known.

A write-in candidate has to be registered in order for their votes to be officially tallied, but Secretary of State Spokesman Fred Woodhams said write-ins would still need to meet the qualifications for mayor spelled out in the city charter in order to be elected.

City Attorney Peter Bade could not be reached for comment on the issue, but the city charter states the mayor is required to be a registered voter in the city.

Giggles, of course, cannot register to vote.

But, Ewing said the city doesn't need to approve the notices for write-in candidates.

He added that he plans to submit Giggles' notice this summer and register a formal campaign finance organization.

Even if Giggles isn't elected, Ewing said he hopes the campaign will have a positive effect on the city.

The Facebook page won't be used just to promote Giggles. Ewing said he plans to post information about Giggles' opponents to help better educate voters about their choices and bring attention to the election that will select the person to lead the city out of state oversight.

In the meantime, Ewing said he hopes Giggles' campaign can bring attention to what he feels are flaws in the city's leadership and encourage residents to demand more of their elected officials.

"We, city of Flint residents, need to demand better candidates," Ewing said.