Fletcher Officially Joins Race for San Diego Mayor

Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher officially announced his candidacy for mayor of San Diego on Monday, calling for innovation in city operations and an end to blaming city workers for all of the budget problems.

"It's time to turn the page," Fletcher said before a crowd at the headquarters of surgical instruments developer NuVasive Inc. on Lusk Boulevard in San Diego. "We're in this race all the way to the end and we're going to win."

Fletcher, the Republican assemblyman who represents District 75, is up against San Diego City Councilman Carl DeMaio, who made his official announcement in Rancho Bernardo on Sunday. District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis also is in the race.

In his announcement Monday, Fletcher said though some may think the mayor's job isn't to focus on the economy and education, he doesn't see it that way.

"If the city can find time to talk about fireworks and harbor seals, then we can make time to talk about educating our children," Fletcher said.

The assemblyman also said it's time for San Diego to make use of available technology and create an environment for future development.

"I will make San Diego the best place in the world to create 21st century jobs," Fletcher said.

The assemblyman also gave a nod to city workers, who have been at the center of many political conversations and debates about pension reform and budget problems.

"While we've all been rightly outraged by inefficiencies and abuses of pay and pension, you don't build a better city by tearing down those you need to implement a better future," Fletcher said.

"Consider that a message to city workers who are taking too much blame for problems created by politicians. ... The era of self-righteous scapegoating needs to end."

Fletcher, an Iraq War veteran, also spoke about how his military service prepared him for the ups and downs of politics. He also jokingly said his college job as a bouncer taught relevant lessons, too, about "keeping the peace."

Locally, Fletcher has garnered much attention over the past year for his work on Chelsea's Law, which stiffened penalties for sexual predators following the rape and murder of 17-year-old Chelsea King of Poway.