Jaylen Smith | |
|---|---|
 Smith in 2023 | |
| Mayor of Earle, Arkansas | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2023 | |
| Preceded by | Carolyn Jones |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jaylen Smith January 22,2004 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]
Smith graduated from Earle High School in May 2022. [3] [4] [5] [2]
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]
Smith received the President’s Award of the Arkansas Democratic Black Caucus at the organization's 2023 King Kennedy Awards. [14]
| Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaylen Smith | 235 | 55.95 | |
| Nemi Matthews | 185 | 44.05 | |
| Total votes | 420 | 100.00 | |