FLORENCE - It’s been billed as the battle of David and Goliath - one of the most well-known political leaders in the state challenged by a young political newcomer with no experience in elected office.

But ask Republican incumbent Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. or his opponent in the Senate District 31 race, Democrat Stephen Wukela, about the comparison, and both are quick to say that’s not what they consider it.

“Others may make that analogy, but I don’t see it that way at all,” Leatherman said. “Anytime we have opposition, we take that opponent and his or her abilities very seriously. We’re confident we’re going to win, but we don’t take it for granted. In other words, when we win, we will have earned it.”

Wukela said while he respects Leatherman’s career and record in the Senate, he sees this race as nothing more than an issue of what type of leadership voters in District 31 want.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for Hugh Leatherman, and I certainly don’t have any personal animosity towards him,” Wukela said.

“But there are fundamental and radical changes that need to be made in how we’re doing things, and he and I differ fundamentally on some issues that are very crucial to Florence County,” he said. “So ultimately, the real issue for voters is not veteran versus rookie, it’s status quo versus radical and fundamental change.

“Hugh Leatherman has experience, but the experience in Florence County over the last four years has been largely negative. My opponent represents the status quo, and I offer myself to voters as someone who believes in and will fight for that radical change in the way we do things.”

A native of Florence who now practices law in his hometown, Wukela said he’s always been interested in politics, but his son’s birth last August provided him with the motivation to make a run for public office.

“It just really became obvious to me that if things stay the way they are, by the time he’s in school, one-third of his classmates will drop out,” Wukela said. “Education, health care, unemployment - the problems are all getting worse, not better, and I feel like I have an obligation to do something about it.”

Education has been the cornerstone of Wukela’s campaign. He supports increased funding for education and tort reform that will allow teachers to discipline students without fear of being arrested or sued.

“Instead of learning discipline, kids these days are learning you can intimidate a teacher by lawsuit or arrest,” he said. “Something has to be done about this so teachers can actually do the job they were hired to do.”

Wukela said he’s confident that his opponent’s financial war chest is much bigger than his, but he believes that he can win the election through grassroots efforts.

“I think you can effect change through a grassroots campaign,” he said.

“You can buy all the billboards and television and newspaper ads you want, but I think actually getting out in the community, going door to door and talking to people, is a more important way to campaign and a more successful way,” Wukela said. “So many people have said to me, ‘You’re the first politician who’s ever come to me and asked for my input.’ And I think that means something.”

Wukela said he does realize that unseating an incumbent is never easy. And in the case of Leatherman, it might be even tougher.

Leatherman has not only 24 years of experience in the Legislature but also is considered one of the most powerful people - if not the most powerful person - in state government. He’s chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, a member of the Budget and Control Board, and Senate Majority Leader.

“The Pee Dee has never been in the position we’re in right now. We’ve never had a chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and that is so important,” Leatherman said. “That means the Pee Dee will be at the top of the list for anything and everything that comes up, and I can assure you I’m going to use my position as chairman to do for my area what other chairmen have done for theirs.”

In the last four years, Leatherman has secured nearly $100 million in funding for projects in the Pee Dee ranging from the senior citizens center and the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library to highway and road improvements.

“I have 24 years of experience with a proven record, and with the position I hold as chairman of the Finance Committee, the benefits I can bring to this area are absolutely beyond anything we’ve ever had before,” Leatherman said.

“Anytime I place a call to an agency or a department, it’s a matter of minutes before the call is returned,” he said. “It took 24 years to get there, because that’s the way the Senate works - on seniority. So as much as people may want to do things, they’re not going to actually get anything done until they’ve got some seniority. Gray hairs really mean something in the Senate, because you’ve been there and you know how things work, and my seniority means the Pee Dee’s got seniority.”

Leatherman became chairman of the Finance Committee during extremely tough economic times, but he said it finally appears the state’s financial future is a little brighter.

“The past three years have been very, very tough. We’ve had a deep recession. But I monitor the state revenue very closely, and I’m really, really encouraged by what I see,” he said. “We’ve paid off the debt we owed ourselves and managed to maintain a Triple A credit rating despite the hard times.

“I think this year we’re going to have some money to do some things we haven’t had the money to do in past years. I’m optimistic. Despite what the pessimists would tell you, the sky is not falling.”

As for the election, Leatherman said he is confident that voters will send him back to Columbia for another term to continue the work he’s begun.

“I spend a lot of time out in the district, not just during campaign years but every chance I get,” he said. “People in this district know me, and they know what I stand for. I invite the voters of District 30 to take a look at my record and vote on what they see. I’m not cocky, but I am confident.”

After a successful business career and many legislative accomplishments, Leatherman is at a point where he could retire and relax. But he said that won’t happen anytime soon.

“I came to Florence in 1954 with virtually nothing,” he said. “South Carolina has been extremely good to me, and I want to return something to our state. I believe I have a moral obligation to return some of what this state has given me. Basically, I want to leave South Carolina in a better position than I found it.”

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