First Turkish mayor in US wants to inspire others

Tayfun Selen, the first Turkish-American mayor in the U.S., said his election would be a "source of inspiration" for the diaspora.

“I think that my election as a mayor may be a source of inspiration for Turkish people and young people living here, and also an occasion for Turks to go into politics," Selen told reporters on Thursday.

Selen, 47, was sworn in as mayor in Chatham Township in New Jersey on Jan. 4.

The Turkish Consulate in New York congratulated Selen, tweeting: "We congratulate Mr. Tayfun Selen who has been recently elected Chatham Township Mayor (NJ) wish him success."

He said he hoped to serve as a mayor that the citizens will be proud of.