'18-Year-Old Youth Who Graduated High School This Year Becomes Youngest Black Mayor in the US'

Jailen Smith Elected Mayor of Elsy, Arkansas, USA
Campaign Promises Include Urban Renewal and Youth Job Creation... Inauguration in January Next Year

Jeilen Smith (18), elected as the youngest Black mayor in U.S. history, of Elsy, Arkansas. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] An 18-year-old young man who graduated from high school last May was elected mayor of a small town in the United States.

According to foreign media reports such as CNN and NBC on the 7th (local time), Jalen Smith, a Democrat, defeated his opponent, street and sanitation supervisor Nemi Matthews, by 235 to 183 votes and was elected mayor of Earle, Arkansas. Located in eastern Arkansas about 48 km west of Memphis, Tennessee, and the Mississippi River, the population of this town was 1,831 as of 2020.

With this election, Smith became the youngest Black mayor in history. In an interview with the media after his election, Smith said, "I did not run to make a name for myself, but to help our community and to move it in the direction it needs."

His pledges were modest but essential for the community. Smith promised to eliminate abandoned houses to rebuild the city, operate the police station 24 hours a day, create jobs for young people, and bring back a large grocery store that used to exist but disappeared. He plans to consult with mayors of other cities in Arkansas to implement these pledges.

Frank Scott Jr., mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas, who was Smith’s mentor for his mayoral run, said, "I am pleased that Smith has become the youngest African American mayor ever elected in the United States," and added, "I am proud of his determination to enter public office at a young age and his ambitious goals." Mayor Scott is also the president of the African American Mayors Association.

Smith said that during high school, working in the student council sparked his passion for serving the community at a higher level. Given that he has a learning disability, his victory is considered even more valuable. Smith finds standardized tests difficult due to his learning disability. However, he said about his disability, "It did not take away what I can do," and "It rather motivated me to achieve greatness."

His parents also supported their son's mayoral candidacy. They cheered him on throughout the campaign, and when he was elected mayor, his mother reportedly could not stop tears of joy. Smith’s parents said they are very proud of their son becoming mayor at such a young age.

Smith also expressed mature aspirations. His ultimate goal, after asking the question, "If I can be great in Earle, Arkansas, why should I be great elsewhere?" is "to show results to the people of Earle." He will be inaugurated as mayor of Earle in the first week of January next year.