At 18 years old, West Virginia University freshman Saira Blair Tuesday became the youngest person elected to serve in a state office.
The conservative Republican teen swept the election, beating out her Democratic challenger and garnering 63 percent of the vote, reported Business Insider.
“When I made the decision to run for public office, I did so because I firmly believe that my generation’s voice, fresh perspective and innovative ideas can help solve some of our state’s most challenging issues. I am honored and humbled to have been elected,” Ms. Blair said in a statement, according to Business Insider.
Ms. Blair holds pro-Second Amendment and anti-abortion beliefs, and ran on a platform of lowering taxes, The Wall Street Journal reported. She plans to defer her spring semester at WVU — where she is majoring in Spanish and economics — so she can participate in the West Virginia legislature’s 60-day session, reports the newspaper, and she will make up her classes in the summer or fall.
• Jennifer Pompi can be reached at jpompi@washingtontimes.com.
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