Jaylen Smith (politician)
Jaylen Smith | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Smith in 2023 | |
| Mayor of Earle | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Carolyn Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jaylen Smith 2003 or 2004 (age 19–20) Earle, Arkansas, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Education | Earle High School |
Jaylen Smith is an American politician who is the mayor of Earle, Arkansas. At age 18, he became one of the youngest mayors ever elected in the United States.[1][2]
Early life and education[edit]
Smith graduated from Earle High School in May 2022.[3][4][5][2]
Career[edit]
In 2022, running as a Democratic Party candidate, Smith won the election to be the mayor of Earle, Arkansas.[4] He won 235 votes, beating his rival candidate Nemi Matthews, who received 185 votes.[3] He was sworn into office on January 3, 2023.[6] His victory made him the youngest black mayor in US history.[4][7] This also made him one of the youngest mayors of any race in the United States.[8]
Smith's mayoral priorities include improving public safety and transportation, beautification and renewal of underused housing, emergency preparedness,[5] and addressing the food desert in Earle.[9][10] In preparation for his time in public office, Smith was given guidance by Frank Scott Jr., the mayor of Little Rock, Arkansas.[3]
Smith joined President Clinton on stage and was a featured speaker at the 2023 Clinton Global Initiative University Meeting at Vanderbilt University.[11][12]
In April 2023, Smith met with Vice President Kamala Harris.[13]
Awards and honors[edit]
Smith received the President’s Award of the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus at the organization's 2023 King Kennedy Awards.[14]
Electoral history[edit]
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Smith | 235 | 55.95 | |
| Nemi Matthews | 185 | 44.05 | |
| Total votes | 420 | 100.00 | |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "18-Year-Old College Student Elected Mayor of Arkansas City". US News. Associated Press. December 12, 2022. Retrieved January 12, 2023.
- ^ a b Rojas, Rick (January 10, 2023). "An Ailing Arkansas City Elected an 18-Year-Old Mayor to Turn Things Around". The New York Times. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ a b c Mizelle, Shawna (December 7, 2022). "Arkansas city elects 18-year-old to be next mayor". CNN. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
- ^ a b c d Matza, Max (December 8, 2022). "Jaylen Smith: Arkansas elects youngest black mayor in US". BBC News. Retrieved December 8, 2022.
- ^ a b "'A better chapter': 18-year-old man elected mayor of Arkansas town". Reuters. December 7, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ Hunterg, Marcus (January 1, 2022). "Jaylen Smith, country's youngest black mayor, sworn in". WREG. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
- ^ Hills, Sophie (February 14, 2023). "Why one Arkansas town has pinned its hopes on a teen mayor". Christian Science Monitor.
- ^ Daniels, Cheyanne M. (December 7, 2022). "Arkansas town elects youngest Black mayor in US". The Hill. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "Meet the 18-year-old running for mayor". WKRC-TV. December 3, 2022. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ Hale-Shelton, Debra (December 7, 2022). "18-year-old elected mayor of Earle". Arkansas Times. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ "President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, and Chelsea Clinton to Convene Student Leaders to Drive Action at the 2023 CGI University Meeting at Vanderbilt University March 3-5". Clinton Foundation. February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 7, 2024.
- ^ President Clinton, Secretary Clinton, Chelsea Clinton convene student leaders to drive action at 2023 CGI University meeting at Vanderbilt March 3–5 MyVU, February 27, 2023
- ^ Kamala Harris [@VP] (April 30, 2023). "Last week, I had a chance to speak with Jaylen Smith, the youngest Black mayor in our nation's history at 18 years old. I am inspired every day by young leaders like Mayor Smith. They are our future – and they will shape our nation with their hope and determination" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ 2023 King Kennedy Awards Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus