WILMINGTON — Wilmington Mayor Bill Saffo will face his first opponent since 2011 after local man Todd Zola filed paperwork Monday announcing his intention to run for mayor. Saffo has served as mayor since he was appointed to the position in 2006, and is currently serving his fifth, two-year term.
Zola has lived in Wilmington for almost 32 years and he has big ideas for the city. Although Zola has no formal experience with politics, he decided that he should run for mayor after several people suggested he do so.
While he has no experience working in government, Zola says he knows how government works.
Zola is intent on bringing new jobs to Wilmington – be it manufacturing, film industry, or the newly expanding hemp industry, he said. If elected, Zola wants to help bring the film industry back to Wilmington by increasing the incentives offered for companies to produce television and film in the Port City. He would also like to see some major manufacturing move into Wilmington to provide better paying jobs for job seekers in the city.
Zola is also concerned with the state of several of the neighborhoods in Wilmington and he says regardless of who wins the mayoral race – the neighborhoods should be “cleaned up.”
The last day to file for candidates to file for municipal elections is July 21, noon.
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