NEW CASTLE, Pa. - William Kuhn called it a “stupid” decision when referring to the tattoo he got when he was 21 depicting a swastika across his chest.

“People make mistakes but people can change,” Kuhn said. “It had no intentions, it had no reflections on my beliefs…hatred is all a joke. I’m all about equality, accountability, transparency.”

The photos resurfaced online after Kuhn announced he's running for Mayor of New Castle in 2027. The tattoo can be seen in a Facebook post that Kuhn said he posted. In it, the symbol that was used by the Nazi Party in the 1920's is seen taking up the majority of his chest. He said he only got the tattoo because he lost a bet and covered it up two years later.

“A man's word is more than a man's belief. If you believe in something then so be it but if you give your word that your going to do something whether its was a stupid bet or not you should still honor that word that you gave to whoever it may be,” Kuhn said. 

While starting his campaign Kuhn is also filing a lawsuit against the city he’s hoping to govern. Filed in October, the lawsuit claims several officials retaliated against his run for city council and unlawfully accepted a bid for a waste company.

Current New Castle Mayor Mark Elisco, Deputy Mayor Eric Ritter, City Administrator Chris Frye, Solicitor Ted Sadd, Council members Robert Razzano, Eddie Bogart, Terry Rodger, David Esposito, David Ward and the waste company Aiken Refuse are all named as defendants in the lawsuit. 

Part of the lawsuit claims the defendants directed city employees to remove Kuhn's campaign signs and created a monopoly for financial benefit when extending a contract with Aiken Refuse.

Mayor Mark Elisco told 21 News they removed Kuhn's and other candidate signs from areas that violated a city ordinance adding that all candidates were notified when they were removed and why. Elisco also said they had nine proposals for waste companies but Aiken was the only one to place a bid that met specifications.

“The one that we chose, Aiken, is by far the cheapest in the county of Lawrence," Mayor Elisco said.

Attorney Thomas Zumpella of the Law Office of William J. Ferren and Associates represents all defendants but Aiken and Council member Razzano. Zumpella told 21 News they had no comment on pending litigation.

Kuhn plans to continue his run for mayor under a party he created, the American Liberty Party. He was previously a part of the Constitution Party of Lawrence County, PA. He said he will be removing his face tattoos, including two tear drops and a cross underneath his eyes, to better serve as the "face" of the city.

“The tattoos don't represent what people think they represent,” Kuhn said. “I am serious about running for mayor. This city needs somebody that’s going to stand up for the people and take care of the people of this city.”