19-year-old John Tyler Hammons was elected mayor of Muskogee, Oklahoma on May 13, 2008. This will make Hammons one of the youngest mayors in the history of the U.S.

The town of 38,000 elected Hammons in a landslide victory over former mayor 70-year-old Hershel Ray McBride.

Hammons will replace Mayor Wren Stratton in a ceremony on Tuesday, May 20, 2008.

Hammons attended public school in Muskogee, Oklahoma and graduated from Muskogee High School in 2007.

From 2007-2008 he attended the University of Oklahoma and majored in Public Administration and Political Science.

In the fall of 2008 he will transfer to Northeastern State University where he will major in Business Administration.

Hammons defeated McBride by a margin of 42% to 38% on April 1, 2008 but because 50% plus one vote is needed to win, a runoff election had to be held. Six people were in contention in the initial race.

1. "Because of the support of the voters, we have accomplished the impossible, With their continued support we will continue to accomplish the impossible. Muskogee is on the rise — nothing can stop us now." - MuskogeePhoenix.com
2. "I remember back in November of 2005, I saw an article where a mayor was elected at 18 in Michigan, I thought that's something I'd like to do. And a couple of friends of mine came to me and said, 'you have to run for mayor or we're not friends anymore', so we had to do that. And I'm so glad that they came to me and made me do that, It's been a blessing for me, and it's been a blessing for the citizens of Muskogee, and I look forward to having a great two years." - ktka.com