In a mid-term election that saw Gen Z rise up and make their voices heard at the ballot box, a few members of the younger generation also made a much louder noise by winning coveted elected positions.
That’s certainly true in the case of 23-year-old Tyrin Truong, the newly-elected mayor of Bogalusa, La.
Truong earned 56% of the vote to oust incumbent Mayor Wendy O’Quin-Perrette, who actually finished third in the balloting.
“I’m honestly at a loss for words. This campaign was never about me, it was about building a better Bogalusa and a better city and I’m glad everybody got out to vote because it was a team effort, truly a team effort,” Truong said of his stunning victory.
As for O’Quin-Perrette, she was conciliatory in defeat, thanking the city for allowing her to serve as an elected official, both in three terms on the city council and then as mayor.
“I will look back on my years of service to all the citizens of Bogalusa as among the best in my life,” O’Quin-Perrette said in her post-election statement. “We accomplished a lot and there is so much more to be done, but the people of this community have always risen to and overcome any challenge. I’m confident they will continue to do so.”
However, O’Quin-Perrette made her skepticism about the incoming mayor known as well.
“I wish the mayor-elect well, but young Tyrin has demonstrated repeatedly during this campaign that he lacks the skills necessary to lead and unite our city,” O’Quin-Perrette said. “I pray I am wrong. During the transition period, I will help in any way that I can. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Bogalusa for the last 20 years, and I’ll continue to do what I can to make our community a better place.”
Candidate Teddy Drummond finished second with 25% of the vote. O’Quin-Perrette drew 19%.
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