The people have spoken.
Courtesy Esther Celestino and Kylie Kuhl
Wilton Manors has a new mayor in town. He has four legs, a fluffy coat, an international fan base and a political operation that would probably make some human candidates jealous.
Meet Romeo, the Bernedoodle who has officially won Wilton Manors' inaugural dog mayor election, securing a two-year term after a spirited campaign that brought neighbors, businesses and voters from across the globe together.
Browardist was the first to cover the city's inaugural dog mayor election when the race was getting underway. Now, we've caught up with Romeo's moms, Esther Celestino and Kylie Kuhl, to learn how their pup pulled off the victory and what comes next.
"We messaged people directly, we hosted a campaign kickoff party to get our neighbors and friends excited about it and we put out 2,000 door hangers around town,” they told Browardist. “We had yard signs, we had handout cards for public events, we got endorsements from our now mayor and a Commissioner and we had support from 3 dog mayors. We didn't go into this with a complete plan... we started out with our group of friends who were enthusiastic about it and we created a group chat."
What began as a casual effort quickly became a full-fledged campaign. The election unfolded in two rounds, with Romeo advancing to the Top 10 before supporters kicked their efforts into overdrive.
Friends approached strangers to solicit votes, local businesses helped spread the word and relatives in South Africa, Brazil and Germany joined the cause. One grandmother even recruited voters throughout her retirement village.
"We saw a personal investment and so much enthusiasm, and that just egged us on to do more," Celestino and Kuhl said. "Our group of friends became his campaign team, going up to strangers without even being with us and Romeo and getting people to vote."
So, who's the four-legged politician behind the campaign?
"He lives up to his name, he loves love,” his moms explained. “He's a funny, goofy, playful Bernedoodle who is good with kids and other dogs. He does have a cheeky side. He likes to steal a bit of food wherever he can find it and has no problem taking your spot the moment you get up."
Romeo also embraced Wilton Manors' colorful community throughout the race. During Leather Week, a neighbor lent him a leather vest and cuffs before accompanying the candidate to a flag-raising ceremony and around town.
And, yes, there was a political scandal.
During the costume parade announcing the Top 10 finalists, NBC 6 cameras caught Romeo humping another dog in the background of a news report. Neighbors subsequently informed his moms that their candidate's extracurricular activities had made television.
"But we decided to take this as a sign that Romeo was meant to be a politician after all," they joked. "What's a political campaign without a sex scandal?"
Now comes governing. Romeo's primary campaign promise was supporting local businesses, particularly dog-friendly establishments. His owners plan to continue showcasing these destinations through social media videos while exploring ways to bring additional dog waste bag and disposal stations to the city.
"We've had a lot of people who voted come to us asking for more poop bag/bin stations around our City," they said. "This is the first time Wilton Manors has elected a Dog Mayor, so there isn't really a precedent for how to go about something like this, but we are committed to finding a way to make that happen."
Romeo's next community outing is Sunday, November 15, from 8 to 11 a.m. at M.E. De Palma Park, where he'll greet volunteers while Celestino and Kuhl help with a park volunteer morning. Residents are encouraged to come out and lend a hand.
His official swearing-in details are still being finalized, with his first scheduled public appearance as dog mayor set for December 3 at the Wilton Manors Holiday Lighting Ceremony.
As for the next two years, his moms hope the enthusiasm surrounding the campaign continues.
"There was something really special about coming together around something so joyful," they said. "It reminded us how much we all appreciate a little extra joy and whimsy in our lives, and that’s what we hope to bring to Romeo’s two-year term as Dog Mayor of Wilton Manors."
For more information and updates from Wilton Manors' new dog mayor, follow Romeo on Instagram.
