3-year-old becomes mayor of US town

James Tufts, 3, was elected as the new mayor of Dorset, a town in northern Minnesota and was sworn into the ceremonial role on August 2. His brother Robert Tufts served two terms when he was 3 and 4, his proud family said. “He (James) kind of fell into it. He would introduce himself as the mayor when he wasn’t,“ his mother Emma Tufts said. Dorset, which has 22 residents, elects a mayor each year by picking a name out of a hat filled with $1 ballots purchased and filled out by voters. James’ first matter of business was passing out four free ice cream cones. Next on the agenda, James said, was to “give presents to kids when they’re sick at the hospital.“ He hit the campaign trail running with Robert, who taught him how to shake hands and look voters in the eye. Emma said the kid has exactly what it takes to be a leader.“He’s determined and pretty set in his ways. He’s not persuaded easily ,“ she said. The two brothershave teamed up to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.