Students Party’s and Swamp Party’s most popular members don’t spend long afternoons handing out fliers and reciting platform points.
Party dogs have one goal: to look cute and represent.
The parties’ four-legged, furry mascots debuted last Spring as an unconventional way to grab students’ attention.
Achilles, a 2-year-old full-bred husky, was a hit on Turlington Plaza last semester clad in a fitted Students Party shirt.
After an overwhelming positive response from students, owner DJ Kurtz, a 21-year-old telecommunication senior and Students Party supporter, was asked by a friend if Achilles could be the party’s first official mascot.
“People fell in love with him instantly,” he said.
But this semester, a string of hot and humid days kept fur-coated Achilles off the campaign trail.
Kurtz plans to bring him back out for Spring campaigning.
“It serves as a good platform because it’s an icebreaker,” Kurtz said. “And he’s adorable, but I’m biased.”
Coco, a 7-year-old Australian shepherd, strolls around Turlington Plaza with a Swamp Party bandana made from a party T-shirt.
“It’s kind of a nice de-stressor to play with a cute dog,” said owner Liat Sanz, a 20-year-old anthropology junior and District D candidate. “It’s nice to have him right by my side.”
A version of this story ran on page 4 on 10/1/2013 under the headline "Furry friends return as SG campaign tactic"
