His election is being noticed across the country. 23-year-old Tyrin Troung, the grandson of a Vietnamese immigrant—ousted the two-term mayor of Bogalusa Tuesday night.
“You know our city has been the laughing stock of the state for a while now in terms of our poverty rate, in terms of gun violence,” he said.
He matches Philip Cavins as the two youngest people elected mayor in Louisiana. Cavins was also 23 when he was elected mayor of Turkey Creek in 2019.
Troung grew up near Bogalusa in Angie and has a degree in political science from Washington University in St Louis, where he was student body president. He served as a summer intern for former Missouri Congressman Lacy Clay and as director of policy for the Urban League of Louisiana. He says he moved back home to help.
“In Bogalusa, we talk about it in terms of, well it’s mostly young black men killing each other. Well I’m a young black man and I hope to reach them in ways that previous politicians couldn’t,” Troung said.
He says he will use his connections and skills to come up with innovative ways to address the root causes of violence. He wants to use community policing and set up a mayor’s camp.
“We need a summer camp for these kids to be in, a free summer camp. So that way they’re not on the street committing these crimes. They’re in a high school gym learning new skills.” Troung said
Troung’s mother has been in the US Army for 21 years. His grandfather is a successful business owner. Troung has a two-month-old son and is engaged to be married.
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