A new candidate has emerged in the U.S. Senate race, challenging former Virginia governors George Allen ® and Tim Kaine (D) with a single word: “Meow.”

The candidate, who goes only by the name “Hank,” is a cat. A 9-year-old street cat, from Springfield, with a Web site, a Facebook page, a Twitter handle, and campaign advertisement, to be precise.

His Senate run is founded on the issue of job creation.


Hank, a cat from Springfield, Va., is running for U.S. Senate against Tim Kaine and George Allen. (Courtesy of Hank for Senate) Hank announced his candidacy earlier this month, and his promotional materials describe him as “a proud Independent” with “real world experience, a unique point of view, and limitless energy.”

The “Hank for Senate” Web site is asking for volunteers to “harp on Hank” by going door-to-door, making phone calls, and working at a polling place on election day.

The Hank campaign team was not available for comment Monday morning.

The feline is vying for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. James Webb (D) this year. Webb is not running for reelection.

Allen and Kaine, former governors of Virginia, are the front-runners in what has so far been a contentious race.