Small towns across the US have elected animals to the pinnacle of civic leadership – and it seems to work for them Small towns across the US have elected animals to the pinnacle of civic leadership – and it seems to work for them It was a fiercely contested election. Seven candidates, each bringing a unique set of skills and perspectives, battled to be the next mayor. Locals followed every twist and turn, in a race that lasted weeks. The political hopefuls made repeated, frequently loud,