UCSD Professor Nathan Fletcher concedes mayoral election and returns to teaching

Former assemblyman and returning UCSD professor Nathan Fletcher announced yesterday that he will concede his position as candidate, stepping out of the running for San Diego Mayor to replace former mayor Bob Filner.

As of Tuesday’s special election — drawing a 30 percent voter turnout — Fletcher, a Democrat, received 49,645 votes, while current second-place candidate Councilman David Alvarez received 2,638 more votes for a total of 52,283 votes. Both candidates trailed behind first-place finisher and Republican candidate Councilman Kevin Faulconer, who received 89,043 votes.

“I leave today with my head held high about the campaign we ran,” Fletcher said in an interview with U-T San Diego.
San Diego Registrar of Voters officials had yet to count 34,500 absentee and provisional votes before Fletcher announced his concession.

Fletcher spoke to Alvarez shortly after dropping out of the race, offering his full support and endorsement to the second-place candidate, who will participate in a final runoff election with Faulconer early in 2014.

Citing negative campaigning and messages broadcast by the labor and Republican parties as reasons for the lack of votes, Fletcher says he now hopes to help improve the city through avenues outside of public office.

“You can make a difference in a lot of ways,” Fletcher told U-T San Diego.

Filner resigned from office in August, amidst sexual harassment allegations, pleading guilty to counts of false imprisonment and misdemeanor. Following the resignation, twelve candidates, including Fletcher, announced their participation in a Special Mayoral Election, although Fletcher is now hoping to leave public life.

Fletcher will soon return to his position as UCSD political science professor of practice and Senior Director of Corporate Development at Qualcomm Incorporated.