Citizens of Earle, Arkansas, elected 18-year-old Jaylen Smith to be mayor, making him the youngest Black mayor elected in U.S. history.

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According to FOX13, voters cast their ballots for the next mayor in a runoff election on Tuesday. Smith’s opponent, Nemi Matthews, lost the race, with Matthews collecting 139 votes compared to Smith’s 218.

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Earle, Arkansas hosts roughly 2,000 people and is located about 30 miles outside Memphis. The small town is home to Matthews, who is the superintendent of Earle and has worked for more than four decades in the area, leaving him with years of experience compared to Smith, THV11 reports.

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Matthews congratulated Smith on his win and thanked his supporters on Facebook.

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On Tuesday evening, his victory was announced — Smith was elected the mayor of Earle. Celebrating his win with the city, he posted a Facebook photo of himself speaking on a mic with a caption expressing his gratitude for the votes.

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“Citizens of Earle, Arkansas, it’s official! I am your newly elected Mayor of Earle, Arkansas … “It’s Time to Build a Better Chapter of Earle, Arkansas.” I would like to thank all my supporters for stepping up and getting people to the polls. I am truly grateful for you all,” Smith wrote in his Facebook post.

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In an interview with FOX13, Smith, who recently graduated from high school in May 2022, shared his future plans if he was elected the mayor of Earle.

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“First, I want to improve public safety here. Secondly, tear down abandoned houses, transportation here for the community, bring a grocery store here,” he said.

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Smith graduated high school in May 2022. He promises to improve the well-being of the town and its community members. Smith will work with public safety in the small town near Memphis, he wants to tear down abandoned houses and open up a grocery store.

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