Pup’s Political Chase Ends With Honor of Mascot

He fought the good fight, running a brilliant campaign for honorary mayor that captured national and international media attention.

But in the end, Farley the German shepherd mix came in third, losing to a telecommunications executive and a Bavarian chef.

At a special installation dinner to be held Saturday, AT&T; executive Dick Starr, winner of the race for honorary mayor, will take over for outgoing Honorary Mayor Ralph Zenger. Wolfgang Schweinberger, owner of Wolfgang’s Country Kitchen, will be dubbed deputy honorary mayor.

And Farley?

He’ll be officially installed as Sunland-Tujunga’s first honorary mascot. A medallion will be hung around his neck, and he’ll be allowed to eat the leftovers of the strip steak or fish dinners that will be served, said Kathy Anthony, president of the Sunland-Tujunga Chamber of Commerce, which sponsors the election every two years.

“It was a matter of finances,” said Dan Skywalker, manager of Farley, reflecting on his candidate’s defeat. “The other guys had more.”

Farley, owned by photography studio proprietor Michael Lucas, was entered in the race by Lucas and Skywalker, who were bored one day and decided that their canine, a friendly fixture in the studio for years, was as good a candidate as any.

What started as a joke turned half-serious, as Farley supporters began purchasing the $1 tickets from the chamber. Proceeds from the nearly $14,000 raised benefited the chamber and the candidates’ favorite charities.

When the tickets were counted and the results announced at a town picnic July 4, media darling Farley was left behind. He might be just a mascot, but “he still stands for what he always stood for,” Skywalker said. “Getting the community involved, getting people to get out there and act.”

The installation dinner will be held at 6 p.m. at Elks Lodge No. 2098, 10137 Commerce Ave., Tujunga. For information, call (818) 352-4433.