A four-legged run for Congress

A Sarasota man tries to register his dog to run against Katherine Harris. That idea won't hunt, officials say.

By JULIE HAUSERMAN, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published July 17, 2002

TALLAHASSEE -- Insisting that he isn't taking a swipe at Republican Secretary of State Katherine Harris, a man tried to register his dog Tuesday to run against her.

Wayne Genthner, 43, of Sarasota, said he decided to register his black and white collie mix Percy as a write-in candidate for Congress to make a statement about the political process in general, which he says has become "sterile" due to big-money politics.

"Sit. Act congressional," Genthner advised, as Percy loped into the state elections office.

The officials there were not amused when the dog came in, trailed by an entourage of reporters and cameras.

The flustered candidate kept barking at the microphones. And licking his fur.

"He's putting the 'lick' back in Republican," said Pam Marwede, his handler.

Assistant elections division director Ed Kast calmly informed Genthner that filing a loyalty oath for federal office on behalf of a dog was a fraudulent act that could lead to a felony charge.

"He's a canine and therefore not a qualified elector," Kast said, straight-faced.

Nearby workers shuffled papers on their desks, refusing to crack a smile.

"We have no wish to break a Florida statute," said Genthner, a charter boat captain and registered Republican who promptly signed himself up as a write-in candidate for the general election.

"Looks like I've got a campaign to run," Genthner said afterward. "My campaign is going to be based on the fundamentals that Percy has relied on since the beginning of his run: fidelity, loyalty, honesty, leadership, and obedience."

Genthner's tongue-in-cheek campaign includes a Jeb Bush-like logo: "Percy!" and the slogan: "Never made a mess in the House! Never will!"

Harris' international celebrity has given the dog an unusually high profile: He's been featured in national newspapers and in the international press.

The campaign's Web site, www.PercyForCongress.org, includes a fundraising plea: "Percy knows that begging is naughty, but his bowl is running empty. A kind gift from you would keep Percy on his feet and his project moving forward."

So far, said Genthner, the campaign hasn't raised a nickel.

Harris has raised $2.33-million.

"If we raise 2 dollars and 33 cents today, we'll be at parity with Harris at 1-million to 1," Genthner said.

Harris faces three other human challengers -- two Democrats and one Republican -- all hoping to fill an open seat left by retiring Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Miller of Bradenton.

The Harris campaign had a prepared statement about Percy. They called him a "cute-looking candidate" who will likely win an endorsement from the Sarasota Kennel Club.

Said Genthner: "Quite frankly, no one would vote for a dog. Percy exists as a clear 'none of the above' selection."

-- Times researcher Deirdre Morrow contributed to this report.

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