BY Ebunoluwa Olafusi
Jaylen Smith, an eighteen-year-old, has reportedly become the youngest-ever African-American to be elected as mayor in the United States.
According to the CNN, Smith, a Democrat, was elected mayor of Earle, Arkansas, on Tuesday.
He reportedly won the election with 235 votes to defeat his opponent — Nemi Matthews — who scored 185 votes.
He is a student at Arkansas State University Mid-South in West Memphis, Arkansas.
“I didn’t run to make a name for myself. I ran because I wanted to help my community and move my community in the direction that it needed to be moved in,” he was quoted as saying.
He reportedly campaigned on improving public safety, bringing new businesses to the city, creating new jobs, and making the police department operate 24 hours.
According to CNN, Frank Scott Jr, the mayor of Little Rock, said he is proud of Smith’s achievement.
Scott, who is the president of the African American Mayors Association, reportedly mentored Smith during his campaign.
“I’m excited for Jaylen and the entire community in Earle as he becomes the youngest-ever African American mayor elected in the country,” he was quoted as saying.
“I’m proud of his willingness to enter into public service at such a young age and his aspirational goals for the city.”
Smith will be sworn in during the first week of January.
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