A former Dunbar mayor, who lost Saturday's primary election for the post, is changing his political party to run in the general election.
Roger Wolfe, one of three candidates in the city's Democratic primary Saturday, changed his political affiliation to independent Tuesday morning.
Wolfe placed third in the primary, with 67 votes. Incumbent Mayor Terry Greenlee won the race with 333 votes.
Wolfe's decision makes the June 6 general election contested. No Republican candidates filed for the mayoral race.
"I will fight to my death because this is my hometown, and I'll fight for it," Wolfe said. City of Dunbar officials said Wolfe's decision to switch parties doesn't automatically mean he will be able to appear on the ballot as an independent candidate.
Dunbar City Clerk Connie Fulknier said the town was reviewing bylaws to see if Wolfe's decision violated elections bylaws. Fulknier said they should have a clear answer by this morning.
The city clerk's office conducts all city-wide elections in Dunbar.
Wolfe was ousted from office in 2008 by a judiciary panel. The West Virginia Ethics Commission fined him nearly $35,000 in 2011 after they found he violated the Ethics Act for receiving reimbursements without proper authority.
At that time the commission found Wolfe had violated the Ethics Act by getting reimbursement for his meals, mileage and cell phone without the authority to do so.
Wolfe refuses to pay those fines because he believes he's innocent. He said he has proof the council gave him permission to receive reimbursements, and was not given a fair hearing.
"I'm not gonna pay the West Virginia Ethics Commission one penny," Wolfe said.
He said the only way he'd pay the commission for the fines is if the commission sues in him in Kanawha Circuit Court. Wolfe said he's waiting for a suit, because he believes he has the evidence to prove he didn't violate the Ethics Act.
"I'm guaranteed by law a fair trial," Wolfe said.
Wolfe said his decision to change parties was influenced by decisions the current mayor and council have made. Wolfe said the current council members "should be in prison."
"I still believe firmly and dearly that Dunbar has gone downhill over the last eight years," Wolfe said. "I don't think it's safe, it's dirty, and I want that to change."
Reach Ali Schmitz at ali.schmitz@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4843 or follow @SchmitzMedia on Twitter.