Image Credit: KMTV 3 News Now Eva Fipps.
At 20, she became mayor of Henderson, a small town in southwest Iowa with 144 residents. That decision led to an election in November 2025. Fipps defeated Scott Schondelmeyer by 30 votes, according to Radio Iowa. She was later sworn into office on 29 December, beginning a new chapter for the college student. Radio Iowa reported that she graduated from Treynor High School in 2024 and had been a dual enrollee at Iowa Western Community College.
Because she may be the youngest serving mayor in the United States, her election has drawn attention. Y105 reported that Fipps has ambitions of attending law school. Radio Iowa reported that much of her early work has involved communication and absorbing information from people with more experience in local government.
Eva Fipps stepped into local government at an age when many people are still deciding what they want to study or do after college. Yet behind the unusual age is a practical story about a young resident becoming involved in her community, learning the responsibilities of public office and trying to give a very small town new kind of energy. Fipps had already gained experience in public affairs before seeking the office Although she was new to the mayor’s position. She also took part in Iowa Girls State and served as a page in the Iowa Legislature. Those experiences gave her an early introduction to how government works and helped shape her interest in public service. For now, however, her attention is centred on Henderson and the responsibilities that came with becoming its mayor. She has also been speaking with other mayors, city clerks and board members as she learns the details of the position.
