TEMPO.CO, Mexico City - As unbelievable as this news might sound, this is not a prank. A cat named Morris was endorsed as a candidate of the Mayor of Xalapa, a city located in the Veracruz state, Mexico. His supporters comprise of Mexico netizens that are deeply disappointed with the country’s political stage.
"Morris has become an expression of how fed-up people are with all the parties and a political system that does not represent us," Sergio Chamorro explained. The owner of the black-and-white candidate was the one who initiated the campaign slogan: "Tired of voting for rats? Vote for a cat."
The Facebook page for Candigato (gato means cat in Spanish) has gained more than 130,000 likes, far above human candidates who have registered themselves in the Xalapa election. Even more surprising, he has more supporters in the site compared to the supporters of the incumbent Governor of Veracruz. Mexico will hold local elections in half of the country on July 7.
Morris' Facebook page and website are plastered with art creations, videos, and slogans that were sent by supporters from all over Mexico. Spin-off Twitter accounts, which have gone viral beyond Chamorro’s control also held campaigns to support the cat.
"The truth is that Morris no longer belongs to us. He belongs to his fans," said Chamorro, adding that he even received messages from supporters that plans to ensure the cat’s name is imprinted among the list of Mayor candidates.
Morris has inspired other animal candidates in other cities in Mexico, including a donkey in Ciudad Juarez, a dog in Oaxaca, and a chicken in Tepic. None, however, has beaten Morris’ ability to provoke Mexican high officials.
The head of Veracruz's electoral institute, which holds elections in the state, urged members of the public not to waste their votes by supporting Morris. "It is important to vote for the registered candidates," Carolina Viveros said. "Please."
GUARDIAN | TRIP B
