22-Year-Old College Senior, Boy Scout Voted Mayor Of Placentia
PLACENTIA (CBS) — A 22-year-old college senior and active Boy Scout from Orange County will soon have a new title: mayor pro tempore.
Jeremy Yamaguchi, of Placentia, was elected last week as the city's next mayor, the city administration office confirmed Tuesday.
Yamaguchi, a graduating Cal State Fullerton student, campaigned against five other candidates for the position and garnered nearly 30 percent more votes than the sitting mayor, according to the official website for the city of Placentia.
He first took office in November of 2008 at the age of 19 when he was elected to the Placentia City Council for a four-year term.
But even before his stint as councilman, Yamaguchi was actively involved in community affairs, serving on Placentia Neighborhood Watch, Placentia Chamber of Commerce, Placentia Police Department, the Miss Placentia and Miss Yorba Linda Scholarship Pageants among others.
His success at the ballot box has also earned him a place in history as the youngest elected official ever to serve in Orange County.
Even before being elected mayor, the city Chamber of Commerce recognized Yamaguchi's zeal for public service when they honored him as "Citizen of the Year" in 2006 for his volunteer efforts — another title which he was also the youngest to ever receive.
And even though he's barely old enough to vote, Yamaguchi is apparently already dreaming big.
"I have pride in our past, faith in our future and a vision for a more stable and secure community," he said in a statement.
