Teenage mayor to be sworn in

Christopher Portman’s high school classmates thought he was joking last year when he told them he was running for mayor.

He was not - and tomorrow, 19-year-old Portman will take the oath of office as Mayor of Mercer, a Pennsylvania borough with 2,391 residents.

‘‘I feel it’s important for young people to get involved and give back to the community,’’ said Portman, a Republican who lives with his parents and twin 17-year-old brothers.

He defeated 55-year-old Councillor Kenneth Vernon and another young candidate, John Kish, 19, in the Republican primary. He also won the Democratic nomination.

‘‘People thought I was doing it for the money until they heard the salary,’’ Portman said of his $1,875 (£1,659) annual pay.

Mercer’s mayor does not have much power, serving mostly as a casting vote for borough council meetings and as overseer for the police. Portman views his job as a goodwill ambassador who inspires others - especially high school students - to volunteer more. He also hopes to organise a foundation to raise money for community projects.

When he is not acting as mayor, Portman will soon begin attending Westminster College, where he plans to study broadcast communications and political science.