FLORENCE, SC (WMBF) – The city of Florence is now under new leadership.

Lethonia “Peaches” Barnes was sworn in as the city’s new mayor on Tuesday. Barnes defeated former Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin in this year’s Democratic primary and ran unopposed in last week’s general election.

“I’m truly, truly, truly honored, honored to see all of your faces tonight. “I’m here today because you believed in me,” Barnes said. “Every day I step on the ground, I will focus on doing what’s best for the city of Florence.”

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Barnes, a one-time city councilman, said his top priorities as mayor will include improving access to clean drinking water and combating gun violence in the city.

“We all have a role to play, and if we do this together we will be better, smarter, stronger,” Barnes said. “We need you to help us clean up the community, we need you to be the grandmothers, uncles and aunts on the street. “We need all hands on deck and when we do, watch out Florence, we are heading up.”

He will be sworn in along with city councilman Chaquez McCall, who won his re-election bid last Tuesday.

“As we face new challenges and opportunities as a growing city, we often forget how far we have come,” McCall said. “The new challenges we face as I begin my second term as a councilor are serious and real, and I want those meeting today to know that we will overcome them.”

A special election date has not been set for the currently vacant seat on the council previously held by Barnes.

Stay tuned to WMBF News for updates.

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