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A Republican Senator Dressed His Dogs as Kyrsten Sinema and Mitch McConnell for Halloween

US Senator Thom Tillis (L), R-NC, walks his dog Mitch (R), dressed as US Senator Mitch McConnell, and Theo (C), in costume as US Senator Kyrsten Sinema during the annual Congressional Dog Costume Parade on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on October 27, 2021. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
US Senator Thom Tillis (L), R-NC, walks his dog Mitch (R), dressed as US Senator Mitch McConnell, and Theo (C), in costume as US Senator Kyrsten Sinema during the annual Congressional Dog Costume Parade on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on October 27, 2021. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty US Senator Thom Tillis walks his dog Mitch (R), dressed as US Senator Mitch McConnell, and Theo (C), in costume as US Senator Kyrsten Sinema during the annual Congressional Dog Costume Parade on Capitol Hill

North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis took to heart the theme of bipartisanship when dressing his dogs, Theo and Mitch, for his annual "bipawtisan" dog costume parade for Capitol Hill staffers this week, dressing one as a veteran Republican Senator, and the other as a Democrat who's made waves in recent months.

Theo, a six-month-old Labradoodle, showed up to the event dressed as Arizona Sen. Kyrsten Sinema, donning purple hair and clad in a "Dangerous Creature" shirt similar to the sweater Sinema, 44, wore to preside over the Senate in February.

US Senator Thom Tillis, R-NC, feeds his dog Mitch, dressed as US Senator Mitch McConnell, a treat as his other dog Theo sits in his costume as US Senator Kyrsten Sinema in his office prior to the annual Congressional Dog Costume Parade on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on October 27, 2021. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty US Senator Thom Tillis, R-NC, feeds his dog Mitch, dressed as US Senator Mitch McConnell, a treat as his other dog Theo sits in his costume as US Senator Kyrsten Sinema in his office prior to the annual Congressional Dog Costume Parade on Capitol Hill

Like Theo's shirt, the pink crewneck jumper Sinema wore in February which read "DANGEROUS CREATURE" in red letters — available on iggyandburt.com ($115) — quickly gained attention on social media after NBC News reporter Sahil Kapur pointed out the fashion statement on Twitter alongside a photo of Sinema.

Sinema, a centrist Democrat whose vote is key to ongoing negotiations over a major spending bill, has made waves in recent months, with activists confronting her at least twice in recent weeks.

RELATED: Kyrsten Sinema Wears 'Dangerous Creature' Sweater to Preside Over Senate — and Mitt Romney Reacts

Tillis' three-year-old Cockapoo Mitch, meanwhile, wore a wig to mimic the hair of Kentucky Sen. Mitch McConnell.

Dogs dressed in halloween costumes, including US Senator Thom Tillis dog Theo (bottom L) in his costume as US Senator Kyrsten Sinema, attend the annual Congressional Dog Costume Parade on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on October 27, 2021. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)
Dogs dressed in halloween costumes, including US Senator Thom Tillis dog Theo (bottom L) in his costume as US Senator Kyrsten Sinema, attend the annual Congressional Dog Costume Parade on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on October 27, 2021. (Photo by Jim WATSON / AFP) (Photo by JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Images)

JIM WATSON/AFP via Getty Dogs dressed in halloween costumes, including US Senator Thom Tillis dog Theo (bottom L) in his costume as US Senator Kyrsten Sinema, attend the annual Congressional Dog Costume Parade on Capitol Hill

Tillis' annual event dog costume parade began in 2017 and was paused last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Senator Tillis has always had a very dog-friendly office and may have 2 to 5 dogs come in any given day," a spokesperson for the lawmaker told PEOPLE earlier this month. "In that spirit, Senator Tillis hosted the first Bipawtisan Halloween Dog Parade in 2017 so members of Congress and staffers on both sides of the aisle could come together for a cause everyone can unite for: dogs in costumes."

"Members of Congress weren't in session in 2018, so he hosted his second event in 2019 that was a huge success and grew from the hallway outside our office to the Hart Atrium," the spokesperson continued. "Unfortunately, Senator Tillis was forced to cancel last year due to COVID, so he is excited to host his third Bipawtisan Halloween Party on October 27th and invites everyone on Capitol Hill to join."

In a 2019 release, the 61-year-old North Carolina Republican said the event was held in the spirit of bipartisanship (a sentiment seemingly lacking in the current congressional fight over President Joe Biden's spending plan and the debt ceiling).

Speaking to reporters at the Wednesday event, Tillis said, "We're just people who are dog lovers. And a few people who are dressed up as dogs. It's just an opportunity to let everybody know that if you love dogs you've got to be a pretty good person."

October 27, 2021, Washington, District of Columbia, USA: UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 27: Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., gathers staffers, senators and their dogs to kick off the annual Bipawtisan Halloween Dog Parade in the Hart Senate Office Building on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Credit Image: © Bill Clark/Congressional Quarterly via ZUMA Press)
October 27, 2021, Washington, District of Columbia, USA: UNITED STATES - OCTOBER 27: Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., gathers staffers, senators and their dogs to kick off the annual Bipawtisan Halloween Dog Parade in the Hart Senate Office Building on Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021. (Credit Image: © Bill Clark/Congressional Quarterly via ZUMA Press)

Bill Clark/Congressional Quarterly via ZUMA Press Thom Tillis

Though it was Theo's first year attending a Halloween event, Tillis' dog Mitch is a veteran of costumes, having previously dressed as Iron Man for the holiday.

Others who attended the event include Sen. Mitt Romney, who arrived with a dog dressed as "Pierre Doglecto." Other dogs in attendance were dressed as firemen, angels, and Mr. Potato Head, according to photos shared on Twitter.