The mayor of New York City is currently led by one of the most prominent pro-Israel voices in the United States - even if he is embroiled in corruption scandals. But now, Eric Adams has a new helpmate: Simon, a mixed-breed dog with Jewish pride, who has been elected as the Honorary New York City Dog Mayor.
He will replace Sally Long Dog, the basset hound who made history as the first dog to hold the position, and is now retiring after a two-year term. A term that was full of upheavals and struggles that included too many tragic deaths of dogs burned by unprotected radiators in the city's old apartments.
The Dog Mayor of New York City is sworn in
(Upperwestsimon's Instagram)
Simon beat another Jewish candidate in the race: Shayna Maydele (Pretty Girl in Yiddish), who promised in her platform to fight those dangerous radiators and also to deliver challah to City Hall every week if elected.
Simon, an adopted dog that is half Basset Hound and half Australian Cattle Dog, officially became the second dog mayor in the city’s history on Monday. The ceremony was held in a festive atmosphere at New York City Hall, where the city’s inspector, Jumaane Williams, who is considered second in command to the mayor and may step into his shoes in his absence due to the said corruption scandals, incorporated the usual puns into his speech, such as that Simon must ensure 'Dognity' for all and not just freedom for all.
He asked Simon, ““Do you promise to uphold the office of New York City dog mayor with liberty and, yes, dog-mity, for all?” and was met with barks before he shook the dog's paw. Williams finally put a top hat on Simon’s head to complement the dignified dog’s appearance, as he arrived at the event wearing a fancy winter coat and tie that would have put any Wall Street CEO to shame.
He was sworn in in near-zero temperatures for a two-year term alongside his new vice mayor, Pepper, a determined, dark-skinned dachshund. She needed a dog’s sense of humor to navigate the most recent election, which was anything but routine. It featured power struggles, crypto scandals, attempts by vote-buying agents to buy voters, and of course — befitting his breed — rumors of Chinese meddling.
Cryptocurrency advocates tried to tip the scales in favor of Bertram, a Pomeranian who had been leading the race early on. Bertram’s campaign was so successful that his supporters created a digital currency called BERT coin in his name and offered financial incentives to voters. But these moves were not well received by the rest of the candidates, and several of them – including Enzo the Shih Tzu – dropped out of the race, citing the murky atmosphere created by crypto supporters.
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Shayna Maydele (left) and Simon
(Photo: Upperwestsimon, shayna.maydele.the.coton Instagram)
Ultimately, Simon managed to outdo Bertram and secure victory in November. Bertram was appointed deputy mayor, but sadly passed away shortly after. Pepper took his place as the new deputy.
“I am grateful, as is Simon, for the opportunity to use this platform for the next two years to promote animal fostering and adoption in New York City as well as to raise awareness and fundraising for all of the amazing organizations on the ground already doing this work,” said journalist Sophie Vershbow, Simon’s proud owner, at the inauguration.
According to the election organizer, Stephen Calabria, this is “an event full of humor, love and dogs – exactly what everyone needs in these turbulent times. Sally, the previous mayor, left behind a legacy of activism, seriousness – and maybe a little laziness,” he added with a smile.
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Simon beat out Shayna Maydele for the position of Dog Mayor of New York City
(Photo: shayna.maydele.the.coton Instagram)
In total, 15 dogs from across the five boroughs participated in the biennial election, but only Simon managed to become the city's true star. One of the challenges he faces will be promoting a new law being considered by the City Council that would allow city residents to use paid sick days to care for their pets and animals.
Councilman Shaun Abreu, who initiated the law, argued that the move would contribute to the health of animals and their owners. "When you take care of your animals, you also take care of yourself," he said, citing studies that show long walks and encounters with other animals have a positive effect on mental health.
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The proposed law would be included in the sick days already mandated by New York State law, which requires employers to provide up to 40 or 56 hours of paid leave per year, depending on the size of the company.
Now that Sally has stepped down, it remains to be seen whether Simon and Pepper will be able to maintain the special spirit that the city dogs brought to New York politics. And if not, you can always blame the cats.