FLORENCE — It’s official: Stephen J. Wukela and Rocky Pearce will face each other in this November’s Florence mayoral election, and both candidates are ready for an intense campaign on a door-to-door level.
The Florence city and county Democratic Parties have certified Wukela as their candidate following last week’s denial of an appeal from incumbent Democratic Mayor Frank Willis. Wukela won the primary by one vote.
Wukela said it’s “surreal” that the legal battle is over. Now, he said, he plans continue his “elbow grease and grass-roots campaigning,” including door-to-door visits and small house parties.
Pearce, a former mayor who’s running as an independent, said his campaign office will soon open and that his campaign has “literally hundreds” of volunteers ready to go door to door.
Councilman Ed Robinson, who had endorsed Willis, said last week he is now supporting Pearce — a move Wukela said doesn’t surprise him.
“It’s the status quo and the establishment versus the future and change,” Wukela said.
“I prefer to say it’s experience versus inexperience,” Pearce said.
Pearce said he can offer efficient “business leadership” through his work in health insurance, real estate and investing in other companies.
Wukela, a Florence attorney, is 32 — one year older than Pearce was when he won his first term in 1983.
“There are those who would say I’m too young. But on the contrary, our problems are too old,” Wukela said.
Pearce, 56, said he was involved in community organizations and learned about the area’s needs before his first bid for mayor. He served two four-year terms as a Democrat.
Wukela said Monday he’s been blessed by the support of those he’s met during the campaign.
“They have placed their faith in me, and I will not disappoint their trust. That is my solemn oath,” Wukela said.
Wukela said he continues to focus on the redevelopment of downtown’s center as well as north of Palmetto Street. The lack of growth in that area has divided Florence, he said, adding that the city should bring in business because of city’s condition, not in spite of it.
Wukela also said he wants a devoted police gang unit and wants to provide alternatives to gangs for children and youths who have no guidance or support.
Pearce said jobs are a key issue to him.
“We’re on a roll in Florence,” he said. “We want to continue that and accentuate it.”
Pearce said he wants to provide “hope and opportunity” in the form of more community centers to help keep children away from gangs. He also advocates community policing, “where the police become friends” instead of foes.
Pearce said he calls downtown the “cultural and entertainment corridor” and that he wants hands-on arts and science museum in downtown “even bigger and better than Discovery Place” in Charlotte, N.C.
He said he also envisions an entertainment venue such as a ballpark for the former Bush Recycling Center site.
Wukela and Pearce on Monday both thanked Willis for 13 years of service as mayor.
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