Eva Fipps, 20, was sworn in as mayor of Henderson, Iowa, after winning 62% of the vote in the Nov. 4, 2025 election. The 144-person town's City Hall clerk, Candance Knop, encouraged Fipps to run, calling for "fresh blood." Fipps previously served as a page in the Iowa House and attended Girls State and plans to attend law school. Her election joins other college‑aged officials in Mills County and reflects a broader trend of younger leaders in small towns.
20-Year-Old College Student Sworn In As Mayor Of Henderson After 'Last‑Minute' Decision To Run
KMTV 3 News Now/YouTubeEva Fipps of Henderson, Iowa
Eva Fipps, a 20-year-old college student, was sworn in as mayor of Henderson, Iowa, after winning the town's Nov. 4, 2025 election with 62% of the vote, according to Ballotpedia. Henderson is a tiny Mills County community of roughly 144 residents.
Election Result And Reaction
Fipps captured a clear majority in the local vote and took the oath of office soon afterward. Speaking to local station KMTV 3, she said her candidacy began as "kinda like a last-minute decision," but that she felt ready to step up to help her community.
"There were people along the way who inspired me and I kinda hoped that I'd be able to inspire others," Fipps said. She added she "would love nothing more" than to see Henderson "flourish again."
How She Got Into the Race
The idea to run reportedly came from a friend, Candance Knop, the clerk at Henderson City Hall, who encouraged Fipps to consider the post during a visit. Knop told KMTV 3, "We need fresh blood," explaining why she urged the student to stand for election.
Experience And Future Plans
Though young, Fipps brings civic experience to the role: she previously served as a page in the Iowa House of Representatives and participated in the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State program. She has said she hopes to attend law school in the future.
A Growing Trend In Mills County
Fipps joins other college‑aged elected officials in Mills County: 19-year-old Jack Sayers serves as a county supervisor and 21-year-old Joseph Jaworski is mayor of nearby Silver City, according to KMTV 3 and KCCI 8. Nationwide, similarly young leaders have been elected in recent years — for example, Brooke Huckaby was sworn in as mayor of Arabi, Georgia in 2024 while she was a college student.
What This Means: Fipps's victory highlights how local civic engagement and encouragement from community members can rapidly propel new candidates into office, and it underscores a trend of younger leaders taking on responsibilities in small-town government.
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