GLENVILLE ELECTS STATE'S YOUNGEST FEMALE MAYOR

(06/15/2009)

Tashua Allman

The youngest female mayor in West Virginia history was elected last week in Glenville.

Tashua Allman, a Parkersburg native and a 2009 graduate of Glenville State College, was elected in the county seat as a write-in after beating out two other candidates.

One of the candidates was a previous mayor.

"I didn't honestly expect to win. I just wanted the experience and to get my name out there," the 21-year-old said. "I slipped through the cracks. I worked hard, but I think I had a little luck. I only won by 1 [vote]," Allman told state media.

She beat former Mayor Joe Putnam, 56 votes to his 55.

The other candidate on the ballot, City Council member Lisa Smarr, received 43 votes.

Allman is the youngest woman to be elected mayor in West Virginia and only the ninth woman in state history to be elected mayor.

"It's really cool that I've made West Virginia history," Allman said.

She served two years as student body president at Glenville State before running for public office.