Mercer mayor is on eligible bachelor list

MERCER, Pa. -- The young mayor of Mercer says he feels honored to be featured in a teen magazine as one of the nation's 10 most eligible bachelors.
Christopher Portman, 21, is featured in the October issue of Cosmo Girl, the teenage magazine of Cosmopolitan. That issue is to be released officially Tuesday, but some stores already have it, Portman said.
"I think it's an honor to think that I am good-looking enough to be one of the nation's 10 most eligible bachelors, and it's fun," said Portman, who traveled to New York to be photographed for the article.
"I try to reach out to young people," he said.
When such an article appears in a youth-oriented publication, "It gives them an opportunity to see that someone their age is getting involved with their community and striving to make a difference, not only there, but in our nation," he added.
Portman was quoted in the magazine article as saying, "My goal is to run for president. So, when I look at a girl, I think, 'Could she be the first lady.'"
Portman was only 18 when he won the Republican mayoral primary in 2001.
He was 19 when he ran unopposed in the general election and when he was sworn in Jan. 2, 2002.