FLINT, MI - Along with his college course load at the University of Michigan Flint, 19-year-old Santino Guerra is taking on a new extracurricular this semester: representing the city's near-100,000 residents on Flint City Council.

After beating out former Council President Kerry Nelson for the Third Ward seat on Tuesday, Nov. 7, Guerra, 19, is the youngest person ever elected to serve on Flint City Council.

"As we were knocking on doors, I predicted this to happen," said Guerra, who bested Nelson 725 votes to 431. "They wanted to see a change."

State Rep. Phil Phelps (D-Flushing) recognized Guerra's achievements on the House floor yesterday, saying he could "not have been more proud."

"In today's politically charged environment, it is more important than ever that our young folks are civically engaged and involved in helping their community succeed," Phelps said. "l look forward to working with Councilman-elect Guerra and the rest of Flint's administration to get as much accomplished as possible in the coming year."

The college sophomore was one of five political newcomers elected to council on Tuesday, ousting a majority of the body's incumbents.

At 19, Guerra - a full-time student studying criminal justice and sociology at UM-Flint - tops former First Ward rep and council president Delrico Loyd for the title of youngest-serving Flint council member. Loyd was 23 when he was elected to council in 2008.

Now, post-election, Guerra and his fellow new council will be put to the test as pressure mounts from the state, mayor and a federal judge for the body to decide on Flint's long-term water source following the city's lead-in-water crisis.

Hours after the nine-member council is scheduled to be sworn in on Monday, Nov. 13, Detroit U.S. District Judge David Lawson has ordered attorneys from the council, the city's administration and the state to court to argue over the state's request to order Weaver into signing the agreement without regard to the council.

"We're thrown into the fire, so to say," Guerra said. "I think we need to agree to disagree and start voting on things that matter."