City elects first-ever dog mayor from Queens

Machka, the first-ever dog mayor from Queens, was elected last week.  Photo courtesy of Kylen Button

By Ryan Schwach

Step aside, Mayor Mamdani. There is a new top dog from Queens.

Machka, a four-year-old Anatolian Shepherd who calls Sunnyside home, was elected dog mayor of New York City last week, making her the first furry executive from the World’s Borough.

The three-legged pup won the online election last week and will serve as the city’s third dog mayor.

Like many in the borough – and the borough’s first-ever resident mayor, Zohran Mamdani – Machka immigrated to Queens.

The canine was born on the streets of Turkey and lost her leg when she was hit by a car as a puppy. She was taken in by a woman in her home country, who was later forced to give Machka up after she lost her home following a devastating earthquake in early 2023.

Her tumultuous childhood helped shape her platform as candidate for dog mayor, her owner and campaign manager, Kylen Button, said.

“Machka ran on a platform to expand pet-friendly housing and homeless shelters to keep furry friends and their families together through the good times and the bad,” Button said. “That's personal to her because due to really awful circumstances, she was not able to stay with her family in Turkey.”

“A big barrier to folks accepting help through housing is the fact that they have pets, and a lot of shelters do not allow people to bring their pets with them when they receive shelter,” Button added.

The successful campaign was easy for Machka, who enjoyed the attention she got while meeting voters.

“She wants to campaign for the rest of her life,” Button said.

When the election results were finalized, Button said that Machka was “bombarded” by neighbors celebrating her victory.

“A lot of people, I think, needed some sort of escape from the doom and gloom that's going on in the news and around the world,” said Button. “It's been really cool to celebrate with them, and everyone's so excited.”

Machka celebrated her election victory with ice cream.

The runner-up in the race, Dr. Computer Chips, a Shih Tzu who also has three legs, will serve as the deputy dog mayor.