Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, who recently left the Republican Party to become an independent, has surged to second place in a poll for the San Diego mayor's race released today by 10News.
Fletcher, who had been languishing in a third place tie because of low name recognition -- far below the top two -- gained 26 percent of those questioned by the polling firm SurveyUSA.
Whether Fletcher simply solved his visibility issues or was lauded by the public for his change of registration, the figure is double that of the previous sampling of voter sentiment.
He trails Councilman Carl DeMaio by two points. DeMaio gained three points since the last poll.
Survey USA asked one question -- who do you support for mayor, followed by a listing of the candidates.
Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego, maintained his 20 percent support, but that now leaves him in third place, according to SurveyUSA.
The poll showed District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis in fourth with 13 percent -- like Filner, about the same level of backing as she had previously.
About 10 percent in the 10News poll were undecided, compared to about one-third of the electorate previously.
If no one wins more than 50 percent in the June 5 primary, the top two vote-getters will compete in the November general election.
