The small town of Arabi in Georgia, USA has elected a member of Generation Z to represent their area.
21-year-old Brooke Huckaby is the youngest-ever female mayor in the US and is the daughter of the town’s former mayor Craig Huckaby.
Huckaby Wants To Make a Change
Huckaby said, “It’s just really concerning to me how people my age aren’t involved in our economy or politics or any real thing going on in the world”.
Speaking to Fox & Friends guest host Lisa Boothe, the 21-year-old added, “I just wanted to be the one to be able to make that change and take that step forward where other people aren’t.”
Who is Arabi’s New Mayor?
In addition to being Georgia’s youngest mayor, Huckaby is also a student at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College and employee of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Huckaby is studying for an agricultural technology degree and works part-time at the Georgia Department of Agriculture as a support services worker.
Father Shows Support
Huckaby’s father, and former town mayor, Craig Huckaby, said his daughter’s running for mayor caught him off guard. “On a Tuesday, I think she signed up, and it was Thursday before I found out from my secretary at City Hall,” he told Boothe.
He added, “I thought maybe I talked her out of running. I was a little shocked then, but I’m glad, and she’s a smart girl. She’ll do well.” The younger Huckaby quipped, “I think I wanted it to kind of be able to sneak up on him.”
Brooke’s Mayoral Goals
Brooke has expressed hope that her win will inspire more young people to engage with politics. Locally, she wants residents to start “investing in themselves” and relying less on the country at large.
Brooke added, “It’s really time we start caring about the world that we’re making for our children and their future and, right now, I don’t think too many people are worried about that.”
Social Media Reacts To Historic Achievement
Some social media users expressed concern about someone as young as Brooke becoming mayor. “Honestly this isn’t enough life experience. The age limit should be 28-30 as far as youngest,” said one X/Twitter user.
However, most people admired Brooke’s maturity in seeking higher office at such a young age. “I didn’t even know which way up at 21. Good for Brooke,” read one Tweet.
Another Supportive Voice
Lindsey Sword has been a city clerk for both Huckaby mayors and told local reporters that she had enjoyed working with the younger family member.
“Oh, it’s been great! I like having somebody that can think of newer things and bring new/more youth to the community versus some of our all these older council men that we have got,” she told WALB.
Arabi, Georgia
Arabi, Georgia is a small town in Crisp County, Georgia, with a population of 447 (as of 2020). U.S. Route 41 runs through the town.
The town was chartered in 1891 and the name “Arabi” is believed to have been inspired by a local surname. Successful country singer T. Graham Brown was born in Arabi.
In Arkansas, An Even Younger Mayor
In 2022, Arkansas elected one of the country’s youngest mayors, when 18-year-old college student Jaylen Smith was elected mayor of Earle.
Other mayors elected before the age of 20 include Michael Sessions – who was elected Hillsdale, Michigan mayor at 18 years old in 2005 – and John Tyler Hammons – who was elected mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma in 2008 at 19.
Across the Ocean, Another Gen-Z Accomplishment
Electing young leaders isn’t just limited to the States. Earlier this week, the UK elected 22-year-old Sam Carling to Parliament – making him the first British Member of Parliament (MP) to be born in the 21st century.
The left-wing ‘Zoomer’ beat veteran Conservative MP Shailesh Vara by just 39 votes, and said he wanted people to “get away from this strange mindset towards younger people’s age.”
