Somerville has a new cat mayor Meet Minerva

Minerva, a black cat, claimed victory as Somerville's new "bike path mayor," winning over voters with her cryptic slogan, "CRIME. " She unseated Berry, the incumbent cat, who had campaigned under "Make cats outside again," and received endorsements from local officials, including Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. This whimsical election originated as a joke among friends and swiftly transformed into a community art project, engaging residents far beyond their expectations. Voter Jennie Erikson raised questions about Minerva's views on crime, reflecting the playful curiosity surrounding the campaign. Minerva's owner, Daniel Abraham, emphasized the importance of her message, indicating that it resonated with the community.

The election's success has drawn attention to the upcoming human mayoral race, which also held preliminary elections. With such a unique and engaging process, the event highlights the local community's creativity and involvement in civic matters. As the cat mayor takes office, residents look forward to the human mayoral election's outcome.