SAN DIEGO -- George Stevens, the sometimes flamboyant and outspoken former councilman, filed papers Friday to declare his candidacy to reclaim his 4th District seat, ignoring a recent legal opinion by the city attorney.

"I'm not going run," said Stevens on Tuesday.

But, on Friday, Stevens walked into the City Clerk's office to file and declare his candidacy to run in the 4th District.

"I've always wanted to run, but this is a spiritual thing with me," Stevens told 10News.

The baptist minister says the decision really came from God and is backed up by a legal opinion that differs from the city attorney.

Stevens, who represented the district south of Highway 94 for three terms before bowing out in 2002, said he also made his decision after receiving a differing legal opinion from attorneys Bob Ottilie and Dan Stanford on his eligibility to run.

"We're confident on mulitple grounds there's no issue. We expect he will be on the ballot," said attorney Bob Ottilie.

Stevens left the 4th district seat two years ago because of term limits. When Councilman Charles Lewis died unexpectedly last month, the seat opened up.

"I stand by the legal opinion we issued and I don't believe he's elible to run for the 4th District council race," said City Attorney Casey Gwinn.

Gwinn said Stevens will have to take his battle to run to court.

Some constituents in the 4th District were surprised at this latest turn of events, but not disappointed.

"I'm glad to hear it. First of all, he's a man of God, Jesus Christ, and I'd like to see a man of God in the seat," said Eddie S. Washington, a 4th District constituent.

Each day the seat remains vacant is cause for concern for many in the district.

There are now eight potential candidates.