Ithaca (WSYR-TV) -- Ithaca voters elected the city's first African American mayor Tuesday and at just 24 years old Svante Myrick is the youngest mayor in the city's history. When inaugurated in January, he will also become the youngest mayor in New York State.
Myrick defeated Board of Public Works Member Wade Wykstra, City Councilor JR Clairborne, and Republican County Chair Janis Kelly with 53 percent of the vote.
"I am honored and humbled to have been elected mayor of the city I have worked so hard to serve. It was never easy, and I congratulate Wade, JR, and Janis and their supporters for their campaigns and look forward to working with all of them in the future," Myrick said in a written statement.
Myrick, an Earlville native, is a 2009 graduate of Cornell University. He served just one term on Ithaca's common council before launching his first mayoral campaign.
Myrick will assume his position as Ithaca mayor beginning in January and will serve a four year term.
