HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) \u2014 He is unapologetically lazy, sleeping through most of the three-hour drive from his home district, only to sleep again, in his office at the state capitol, through key votes.<\/p>\n
More precisely, the office actually belongs (at least, according to the sign on the door) not to 10-year-old Ravi \u2014 a 7-pound, purebred Devon Rex deemed too scrawny as a kitten to compete as a show cat \u2014 but to his person, State Rep. Jessica Benham (D-Allegheny County).<\/p>\n
Close<\/a><\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Watch for us in your inbox.<\/p>\n Subscribe Now<\/p>\n But a visitor, seeing the collection of cat-sized bowties, a cat-sized decorative fireplace and even a cat-sized podium with a presidential seal and microphone, could be forgiven for believing otherwise.<\/p>\n A number of legislators bring dogs to work from time to time. Ravi is the only capitol cat.<\/p>\n \u201cI think if folks were to comment on the most unique or interesting things about me, bringing a cat to the capitol would probably rate pretty far up there for sure,\u201d Benham said, which is saying a lot for someone who, in November 2020, became the first openly LGBTQ woman<\/a> and the first known person diagnosed with autism<\/a> elected to Pennsylvania\u2019s House.<\/p>\n Ravi\u2019s time at the capitol began out of necessity. Benham took office during the COVID-19 pandemic and struggled to find reliable cat care. It was supposed to be temporary, but Benham noticed something: Ravi, on a leash (yes), would walk confidently into the building in the morning.<\/p>\n At the end of the day, she would have to carry out her disappointed cat.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s definitely sadder the weeks that we are not in Harrisburg,\u201d Benham said. \u201cAnd so there\u2019s an element in which coming to the capitol is therapeutic for him.\u201d<\/p>\n But not only for him.<\/p>\n \u201cHe has been there for me through a lot of heartache,\u201d Benham said.<\/p>\n And not only for her, either, among humans.<\/p>\n \u201cThere have absolutely been times where a shared love of animals has brought people together,\u201d Benham said. \u201cIt doesn\u2019t resolve every single difference, but it can make some conversations \u2014 especially tough ones \u2014 a little easier.\u201d<\/p>\n After five years of this, it\u2019s tough to say who is whose sidekick. Benham and Ravi always stay at the same area hotel when the House is in session.<\/p>\n \u201cThe folks at the front desk say, \u2018Hi Ravi.\u2019 What about me? I\u2019m just cat transportation,\u201d Benham said, laughing. \u201cI have accepted this.\u201d<\/p>\n Shapiro welcomes king and queen of the Netherlands <\/a><\/p>\n It\u2019s impossible to know for sure whether Ravi shares Benham\u2019s views on many of the causes she champions, like a bill she\u2019s sponsoring<\/a> that would stop stores from making discounts available only via digital coupons.<\/p>\n But Benham said \u2014 and Ravi didn\u2019t deny \u2014 his views on certain issues<\/a> are clear.<\/p>\n \u201cAny of the legislation on animal issues, he has strong opinions on for sure,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.<\/p>\n