Deuce the Lion is a well known resident of the Blank Park Zoo, inspiring awe from visitors with his regal mane and impressive roar. At 14 years old, Deuce has already served as the Mayor of Blank Park Zoo, but experienced a devastating loss to current mayor Barnaby the Aldabra Tortoise in 2020. Now, Deuce is looking to get back on top. Polls place him as the front runner in the Blank Park Zoo Mayoral Election, though Kitsi the Snow Monkey and Oscar the Porcupine are right on his tail.
Carnivore keeper Zaira Corral serves as Deuce's campaign manager and spokesperson. For her, the decision to support the king of the jungle was an easy one.
"He's quite a strong leader," shares Corral, "lions are apex predators as well as keystone species in the wild, so he's got this down pat!"
Despite his contingent of strong supporters, Deuce has been the subject of a ferocious smear campaign by his competitors. Surprise up and comer Kitsi the Snow Monkey has criticized Deuce's appearance-focused platform, alleging a real "chimp-ion" should be more concerned with results than "monkeying around" with hair products. Kitsi has even gone so far as to suggest Deuce might wear a wig.
Education-centered candidate Oscar the Porcupine has not commented on Kitsi's accusations, instead condemning Deuce's support of the Expand the Impact campaign. Expand the Impact is a multi-million dollar transformative project aiming to provide new habitats for the native Iowa animals - such as otters - and big cats who already call the zoo home. Oscar comments that, while the changes will increase the "quill-ity" of the visitor experience, Deuce has a conflict of interest. After all, the lions will be getting a new and improved exhibit!
Deuce has denied allegations of corruption and favoritism.
Iowa Live is your election headquarters. We'll continue to keep you updated on the latest developments in the contentious race for Mayor of Blank Park Zoo. See our political profiles on Oscar and Kitsi below.
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