KEYSTONE HEIGHTS—As one of the youngest members to sit on the Keystone Heights City Council, Brandon Ludwig said he is willing and ready to serve the community in any capacity.

"Keystone is truly the place to be."

Ludwig was sworn in to Council Seat 5 during a Dec. 16 special meeting with a host of family and friends present. His appointment to the seat comes after the resignation of Vice Mayor Elston "Speedy" Kussler. Kussler stepped down on Nov. 15 due to personal reasons, citing a change in his place of residence that would no longer qualify him to serve as council member under the city charter.

Ludwig, 25, has served as chairman of the Florida Young Republicans since 2023. Ludwig also worked on U.S. Rep Kat Cammack's 2020 congressional campaign, as well as more than 30 local elections on the Clay County Board of Adjustment.

As a fifth-generation Floridian, he said he grew up in Keystone Heights. Although he's had the opportunity to reside and work in other places, he said there is no place truly like Keystone.

"Everybody steps up and makes our community a better place. And that's not very common anymore.

"There are so many things going on in our country, but here in Keystone Heights, everything is right."

With the addition of Ludwig to the council, Mayor Nina Rodenroth called the dais a powerhouse.

"I am absolutely thrilled to have you join us up here. I call this the powerhouse here, right now. I think we have an incredible group of very smart councilman, and I think we're going to do a great job complementing each other."

With 57% of the Keystone Heights population around the age of 39, Rodenroth said having someone as young as Ludwig on the council will be an asset.

"I like seeing that equaled out because I think we can all learn from each other, and I think we can all grow," she said.

Ludwig's first official meeting was on Jan. 5.  As of Jan. 7, Ludwig has filed to retain his seat for the Super Tuesday Municipal Election set to take place on April 14.