Transcript for Man With White Parents in 1984: 'I'm Black'

Then then perhaps unprecedented political controversy in Stockton California. A man elected to the City Council from a heavily black district is now accused of having lied. Claiming to be black when in fact he may be quite. He may be recall ABC's Ken Kashiwahara in Stockton. In Stockton his ninth City Council district the political controversy is laced with charges of racism over an issue that is literally black and white. City councilman mark Stebbins I'm black. More stab wounds it was quite. The controversy over Stebbins race began last year when he won the council seat in a district that is primarily black and Hispanic. Stebbins who looks white said then that he's black. And now faces a recall election next month because the man he defeated a bail Bondsman whose name just happens to be Ralph white. Charges that's DeVon fly. No one is going arrived to my people. And you lose my people. And then let everybody else left them. White is campaigning for the recall by passing out copies of Stebbins birth certificate listing Stebbins parents as white. Stebbins says he did not lie but is vague about his black heritage saying he chose to be black. I was in someone of unique situation in that I could choose to be quote either one rather than simply having other people assume. That I was one or the other. And within the community that racial issue has divided black voters. I radler is not right. Because even in light. The body hills not gonna hotels that we'd like. With if demand is not a black. If you wanna be not the land they not been. So on May eighth voters will decide whether march 7 should remain in office and perhaps determine whether what he says his race is makes any difference at all. Ken Kashiwahara ABC news Stockton California.

This transcript has been automatically generated and may not be 100% accurate.