A 20-year-old college student has officially been sworn in as mayor of her small Iowa hometown.
Eva Fipps of Henderson—a town of just 144 residents in Mills County—won the Nov. 4, 2025 local election with 62% of the vote, according to Ballotpedia.
Fipps, who plans to attend law school in the future, told local news outlet KMTV 3 that her decision to run for office came together quickly, calling it “kind of a last-minute decision.”
The idea, she said, was sparked by a conversation with City Hall clerk Candance Knop. While Fipps was visiting the office one day, Knop encouraged her to consider running.
“We need fresh blood,” Knop explained while speaking with KMTV 3.
Fipps said her interest in public service has been long-standing. She previously served as a page in the Iowa House of Representatives and participated in the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program, according to the outlet.
“There were people along the way who inspired me, and I kind of hoped that I’d be able to inspire others,” Fipps said. She added that she “would love nothing more” than to see Henderson “flourish again.”
With her election, Fipps joins a small but growing group of young elected officials in Mills County, including 19-year-old county supervisor Jack Sayers and 21-year-old Silver City mayor Joseph Jaworski, according to KMTV 3 and KCCI 8.
Though her age sets her apart, Fipps is not alone nationwide. In 2024, Brooke Huckaby was sworn in as mayor of Arabi, Georgia, a town of about 500 residents. Huckaby was also a college student at the time of her election and worked part-time for her state’s Department of Agriculture.
