Candidate forum: The League of Women Voters of Greater Green Bay will host a free mayoral forum at 6 p.m. Jan. 9 in the Brown County Central Library auditorium.

GREEN BAY - Former Alderman Guy Zima often went toe-to-toe with Mayor Jim Schmitt while he was in office. Now he's eyeing Schmitt's job.

Zima joined the crowded race for Green Bay mayor on Wednesday, making him the eighth candidate aiming to take over as the city's top official in April. The deadline for contenders to submit signatures to appear on the ballot was 5 p.m.

A primary will be held on Feb. 19, and the top two candidates will move on to the April 2 general election.

Zima was a longtime, often controversial member of the City Council and Brown County Board before losing both re-election bids in April. His last council term ended with a code of conduct complaint filed against him by Alderwoman Barbara Dorff, accusing Zima of mistreating city workers, officials and members of the public.

And in late 2017, the Press-Gazette revealed that Zima once asked a female city employee if she made a sex tape with her husband on their wedding night.

Zima is now suing the city and Schmitt, saying the mayor and other city employees have made false, malicious statements about him. Among his claims, Zima cites emails in which Schmitt called the former alderman a "psychopath" and "dotard." City emails also point to repeated efforts by officials to prosecute Zima's behavior.

Schmitt is not seeking another term after 16 years in office. He briefly entertained a bid for Brown County executive, but chose instead to spend the remainder of his tenure focused on city projects instead of another election.

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Also running for mayor are:

To help kick off the race, the League of Women Voters of Greater Green Bay will host a free mayoral forum on Jan. 9. Audience members will have the opportunity to ask questions of the candidates in attendance.

The forum will take place from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Brown County Central Library auditorium.