Nathan Fletcher Through the Years
San Diego mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher started his career as a Republican, but switched his political affiliation twice in 14 months.
2001-01-01 12:40:59
Political Director of the California Republican Party
Fletcher had a leadership position in the state party starting in 2001.
2003-01-06 00:00:00
District Director For Rep. Duke Cunningham
Fletcher begins work as district director for later-disgraced Republican Rep. Duke Cunningham
2003-09-25 00:00:00
Marries Bush staffer
San Diego Union-Tribune lifestyle columnist highlights Fletcher's recent marriage to Mindy Tucker, who has worked as a spokeswoman for President George W. Bush's campaign, the Republican National Committee and as deputy chief of staff for former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
2007-03-12 00:00:00
Signs Anti-Tax Pledge
As a state Assembly candidate, Fletcher signed Grover Norquist's anti-tax pledge.
2008-11-04 17:40:59
Wins Election To State Assembly
Fletcher wins an Assembly seat to represent parts of the city of San Diego, Poway and other northern areas.
2009-12-31 05:55:44
2009 Assembly Interest Group Ratings
California Chamber of Commerce: 100 percent; California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO - Committee Votes Score: 0 percent; California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO - Positions on Workplace Rights: 29 percent; California League of Conservation Voters: 33 percent; California Republican Assembly: 65 percent; Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association: 91.5; Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California: 0 percent
2010-03-31 00:00:00
Karl Rove Headlines Fletcher Fundraiser
The Republican strategist hosts a breakfast in La Jolla.
2010-05-13 01:21:14
Advocates to End "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" in the Military
On the state Assembly floor, Fletcher argues the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy for LGBT servicemembers should end.
2010-08-05 00:00:00
Speech At ALEC Conference In San Diego
Fletcher says he's "honored to be a member of ALEC," a conservative organization that pushes state legislation.
2010-09-03 00:00:00
Opposes City Sales Tax Hike
Fletcher comes out against Proposition D, a proposed city sales tax increase that later fails at the polls.
2010-09-09 17:40:59
Governor Signs Chelsea's Law
Fletcher sponsored a high-profile law to increase penalties for sex offenders after Poway teenager Chelsea King was murdered by a sex offender.
2010-10-07 17:40:59
Engineers Downtown Redevelopment Deal
As part of state budget negotiations, Fletcher gets a bill passed that could have funneled a big share of $6 billion in future taxes downtown and led to a new Chargers stadium. The bill ultimately is rendered meaningless when redevelopment is later killed.
2010-11-02 17:40:59
Wins Re-Election To Assembly
He takes more than 60 percent of the vote.
2010-12-31 05:55:44
2010 Assembly Interest Group Ratings
California Chamber of Commerce: 94 percent; California League of Conservation Voters: 19 percent; California Republican Assembly: 63 percent; Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association: 91.6
2011-06-06 17:40:59
Declares For Mayor
Fletcher announces his mayoral bid at a medical device company in Sorrento Valley.
2011-06-22 00:00:00
Pete Wilson Endorsement
Former California Republican Gov. Pete Wilson, also a former San Diego mayor, endorses Fletcher.
2011-07-18 12:40:59
Supports 401(k) Initiative
Fletcher announces support for Proposition B, the city's 401(k) ballot measure, which later passed.
2011-08-25 12:40:59
Mitt Romney Donates to Campaign
Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, his wife Ann and other family members each donate the maximum $500 to Fletcher's mayoral campaign.
2011-12-31 14:10:59
2011 Assembly Interest Group Ratings
California Chamber of Commerce: 100 percent; California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO - Floor Score: 14 percent; California League of Conservation Voters: 53 percent; California Republican Assembly: 56 percent; Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association: 83
2012-03-08 16:05:59
Touts GOP Bona Fides
Days before local Republicans are set to endorse a mayoral candidate, Fletcher tells GOP committee members he's the most authentic conservative.
2012-03-10 00:40:59
Rove Sends Email Plea For Fletcher Endorsement
On the day of the local GOP endorsement for mayor, Rove tells party activists that Fletcher would be the best choice.
2012-03-10 12:40:59
Stumps For GOP Endorsement
In a speech describing his lifelong commitment to the party, Fletcher tries and fails to secure the local GOP endorsement, which goes to Carl DeMaio.
2012-03-28 00:40:59
Goes Independent
Fletcher re-registers as an independent
2012-03-28 17:40:59
Democrats Blast Fletcher's Move
Then Democratic Party Chairman Jess Durfee says Fletcher's record and background shows that he's still a Republican.
2012-03-29 17:40:59
Says None of His Core Principles Have Changed
In an interview with U-T San Diego, Fletcher says that the Republican Party left him instead of him leaving the party. He also says the he never considered becoming a Democrat.
2012-03-30 17:40:59
Praise From NY Times
New York Times columnist David Brooks writes a paean to Fletcher wondering if there's room in the GOP for a moderate alternative.
2012-05-04 17:40:59
GOP Stances On Campaign Trail
Fletcher supports city ballot measures to ban project labor agreements and eliminate pensions. He also supports outsourcing city services, expanding the Convention Center and the Jacobs Plaza de Panama Plan. All positions were opposite of Democratic candidate Bob Filner at the time and similar to the two major Republican mayoral candidates.
2012-05-08 17:40:59
Same-Sex Marriage, Abortion Stances Shift
Fletcher becomes more aggressive in supporting same-sex marriage and abortion rights.
2012-05-14 17:40:59
Says He Would No Longer Sign The Anti-Tax Pledge
In a television interview, Fletcher says he wouldn't sign the anti-tax pledge he did five years before.
2012-05-16 17:40:59
Falsely Says He Was Never An ALEC Member
Fletcher says he wasn't an ALEC member in an interview with San Diego CityBeat. His spokeswoman later says Fletcher only remembered giving a speech to ALEC members.
2012-05-20 17:40:59
Declines to Back Romney For President
Even though Romney donated to his campaign, Fletcher punts on a question during a debate about a presidential pick.
2012-06-05 17:40:59
Finishes Third in Primary
Fletcher finished third in the primary behind DeMaio and Filner.
2012-06-13 17:40:59
Says He'd Likely Vote For Romney
In the wake of his defeat, Fletcher says he'd probably choose the GOP nominee for president. He declines to endorse in the mayor's race.
2012-11-15 16:05:59
No Plans To Run For Office Again
On the day he announces that he will become a senior director at Qualcomm, Fletcher says he has no plans to run for office again.
2012-12-31 14:10:59
2012 Assembly Interest Group Ratings
California Chamber of Commerce: 92 percent; California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO - Total Score: 24 percent; California Labor Federation, AFL-CIO - Lifetime Floor Score: 18 percent; California League of Conservation Voters: 86%; California League of Conservation Voters - Lifetime Score: 48 percent; California Republican Assembly: 17 percent; Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association: 0; Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California: 100 percent
2013-05-04 17:40:59
Joins Democratic Party
Fletcher announces in an email to supporters and a Facebook post that he's become a Democrat . He reiterates that he has no plans to run for office again.
2013-07-10 16:05:59
Filner Sexual Harassment Scandal Breaks
Three progressive backers of the mayor ask him to resign.
2013-07-26 07:05:59
Backs Prevailing Wage
Fletcher supports a labor- and Democrat-backed plan to require industry-standard wages on city construction projects. The deal later passes City Council on party lines.
2013-07-26 18:05:59
Says He Asked Filner To Resign on July 12
On Twitter, Fletcher says he left a voicemail for Filner to resign two weeks prior.
2013-08-20 07:05:59
Plans Mayoral Run
Fletcher filed paperwork with the city clerk for a mayoral special election bid.
2013-08-23 16:05:59
Filner Resigns
Filner resigns effective Aug. 30.