Eva Fipps: America’s Youngest Mayor and Gen Z Politics in Henderson, Iowa
Estimated reading time: 5 min
Eva Fipps, a 20-year-old online college student, was elected mayor of Henderson, Iowa, becoming the nation’s youngest serving mayor and the youngest female mayor in U.S. history. She won by a wide margin and is focusing on community projects such as an accessible playground while planning to finish her degree and attend law school.
Gen Z trend in politics
Fipps embodies a Gen Z wave pushing for youthful leadership in local government, joining other young leaders such as Garden City, Kansas’ 22-year-old mayor and Carnegie, Pennsylvania’s 24-year-old mayor. The broader question remains: how wide is the generational divide on issues like sex, climate, and voting?
Who is America’s youngest mayor and her age?
In Henderson, population 144, Eva Fipps won the mayoral race at 20. She defeated a 45-year-old opponent, Scott Schondelmeyer, by 31 votes to 19, a 24-point margin.
What challenges does Henderson’s population face?
The town has no diner and no stoplights, only a handful of stop signs. The nearest gas station is about 20 minutes away. The community once had three churches; now there is one, reflecting a shrinking town landscape.
Accessible playground and community projects
Among her priorities is building an accessible playground; the nearest option is more than 50 miles away. She aims to complete the project by the end of her two-year term and keeps residents engaged with monthly coffee gatherings at Henderson City Hall.
Education and future plans
Fipps plans to finish her degree at Western Governors University and then pursue law school at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her motivation stems from her late stepdad, who mentored her to work hard, help others, and stay resilient.
Readers may reflect on how small-town leadership can illuminate broader conversations about youth engagement and community resilience.
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Source: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2026/01/25/americas-youngest-mayor-eva-fipps-college-student-henderson-iowa/88066768007/
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