San Diego mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher faces an obvious question as he gears up to run in the Nov. 19 special election to replace Bob Filner: Who are you?
Twice in the last 14 months, Fletcher, a former assemblyman and 2012 mayoral candidate, switched political parties. First, in the thick of the last election, Fletcher went from Republican to independent. Then in May, he became a Democrat.
We’ve put together an interactive timeline of Fletcher’s political history from 2001 to the present focusing on his boldest positions and endorsements. Some highlights:
• March 12, 2007: Signs Grover Norquist’s anti-tax pledge, considered a litmus test for Republicans and a bugbear for Democrats. Five years later, Fletcher said he wouldn’t sign it again.
• March 10, 2012: Touts that he voted to eliminate welfare in a speech to local Republicans.
• March 29, 2012: A day after becoming an independent, Fletcher says he never considered registering as a Democrat because “there’s unwillingness on that side as well to step out and solve problems.”
• May 5, 2013: Joins the Democratic Party and says he has no plans to run for office. Three and a half months later, he announces a mayoral bid.
We also did a Q-and-A with Fletcher to talk about the ways in which he’s changed. He says his transition from Republican to independent to Democrat could have been smoother, but all he can do is explain his positions now.
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