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Written by: E. George
Published July 9, 2024 @ 3:30 PM ET
CRISP COUNTY, Ga. – Brooke Huckaby, a 21-year-old Georgia Department of Agriculture student and employee, has secured the title of youngest female United States mayor and youngest female mayor in Georgia history. Huckaby is the mayor of Arabi, a small town in Crisp County of less than 500 people.
Regarding running for office, she stated, “I’d say that one thing that really inspired me, it was just the lack of interest in all the people my age – they don’t really care about politics, and it really inspired me to take the jump in and get a head start on it. The older generation is not always going to be around to handle things for us.”
Huckaby is in the process of obtaining an agricultural technology degree from Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College. In addition to her mayoral duties and academic studies, she is a part-time support services employee for the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
Some critics may think of her young age as a possible detriment to her leadership success; however, she believes her youth is an asset. She said her position provides the ideal opportunity to further her knowledge and experience.
She asked, “How is someone supposed to gain any experience without putting themselves into the ring?”
She is following in her father’s footsteps as well. Craig Huckaby served as the city’s previous mayor and is now her mentor, providing her with guidance and assistance if needed.
Craig Huckaby was mayor for 12 years. When he decided to step down, his daughter gladly jumped in but admitted her initial reluctance to tell him. She feared he would attempt to sway her from pursuing the position.
He stated, “On a Tuesday, I think she signed up, and it was Thursday before I found out from my secretary at City Hall. 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.”
According to sources, Lindsey Sword, the city clerk for both Huckaby mayors, expressed her pleasure working with Brooke.
Sword said, “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 older councilmen.”
Regarding her classwork, mayoral responsibilities, and time spent assisting scientists with agricultural endeavors and research, she addressed the potential challenges.
She stated, “I feel like I’m living three different lives sometimes because I’m bouncing from an interview like this to going to class, and then I’m going to work – balancing all that has, not, I would say, been a struggle, but it has been a challenge, one that I feel like I’m up to.”
Huckaby said she works to encourage fellow young individuals to embrace and participate in the political process.
She stated, “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, and I just wanted to be the one to be able to make that change and take that step forward where other people aren’t.”
She added that she aims to urge the community members to begin “investing in themselves” and ceasing to depend on America as their “backbone.” She said, “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.”
Arabi is located roughly 150 miles south of Atlanta.