The 18-year-old high school graduate, Jaylen Smith, becomes Earle’s, Arkansas, newly elected mayor on Tuesday. Frank Scott Jr, the mayor of Little Rock, stated that after defeating Nemi Matthews by 50 votes, Smith became Earle’s first youngest black mayor in the history of the United States.
Scott, who also serves as president of the African American Mayors Association, stated that he is happy for Smith and the entire community in Earle as he became the youngest-ever African-American mayor elected in the country. He further said that he was proud of Smith’s willingness to enter into public service at such a young age.
Talking to the media in an interview, Smith said that he doesn’t aim to make a name for himself. He rather wants to help his community and move it in the appropriate direction, which he knows will not happen overnight. He further said that he became passionate and determined about serving his community at a higher level after he worked for the student government association in school.
Although he is young, the newly elected mayor of Earle aims to rebuild the city and rid it of abandoned homes. He further wishes to make the police department operate 24 hours, implement public transportation to grocery stores, and create jobs for the youth.