Sen. Jim Justice offers to take over Tillis's Capitol Hill dog parade

The West Virginia senator joked he would "co-host" the annual event with his famous bulldog, Babydog.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Sen. Jim Justice (R-WV) attended the final dog parade of Sen. Thom Tillis's (R-NC) Senate career on Capitol Hill and joked that he would be willing to take over hosting the event if Tillis wanted to pass the torch. Justice paraded his politically famous pet, Babydog, through the event and said he would "co-host" the parade with the bulldog if asked, adding that he'd have "chicken nuggets for everybody." Tillis, who has hosted the parade since 2017, did not rule out Justice as a potential successor, telling reporters there was time to "negotiate" the transition.

Why it matters

The annual Capitol Hill dog parade has become a popular tradition, drawing staffers and lawmakers alike to celebrate their canine companions. As Tillis prepares to retire, the question of who will take over the event has sparked speculation, with Justice emerging as a potential successor given the fame of his bulldog, Babydog.

The details

During the Mardi Gras-themed dog parade on Wednesday, Justice was repeatedly asked if he would be interested in taking over hosting duties from Tillis. While initially caught off guard, Justice said he would "take it in a second" if Tillis wanted to pass the torch. Justice joked that he would "co-host" the parade with Babydog and would add the innovation of "chicken nuggets for everybody." Tillis, who has emceed the event since 2017, did not rule out Justice as a potential successor, telling reporters there was time to "negotiate" the transition.

  • The dog parade took place on Wednesday, February 25, 2026.
  • Tillis is set to retire from the Senate in January 2027 after two terms.

The players

Sen. Jim Justice

A Republican senator from West Virginia who attended the dog parade with his famous bulldog, Babydog.

Sen. Thom Tillis

The Republican senator from North Carolina who has hosted the annual Capitol Hill dog parade since 2017 but is set to retire in January 2027.

Babydog

Sen. Jim Justice's politically famous bulldog who accompanied him to the Capitol Hill dog parade.

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What they’re saying

“If Senator Tillis wants to pass the torch on to me, I'd take it in a second.”

— Sen. Jim Justice (Washington Examiner)

“If he wants to come back and keep doing it, that's great, too.”

— Sen. Jim Justice (Washington Examiner)

“We'd have chicken nuggets for everybody.”

— Sen. Jim Justice (Washington Examiner)

“There's time to negotiate.”

— Sen. Thom Tillis (Washington Examiner)

“He's got the most recognizable dog in Washington, D.C.”

— Sen. Thom Tillis (Washington Examiner)

What’s next

Tillis has said he will likely host one more dog parade in October 2026, but his team has called an "audible" and decided to scrap that plan given how close it would be to the November 2026 election.

The takeaway

The annual Capitol Hill dog parade has become a beloved tradition, and as Tillis prepares to retire, the question of who will take over hosting duties has sparked speculation. Justice's offer to "co-host" the event with his famous bulldog, Babydog, has added an interesting twist to the transition, highlighting the parade's enduring popularity and the potential for new leadership to put a fresh spin on the tradition.