San Diego Mayor Bob Filner will resign at the end of the week, which means the competition for his replacement is already underway. Former state Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher was one of the first to submit the paperwork to throw his hat in the mayor's race.
This isn't Fletcher's first run at the mayor's race, but last time he tried for the seat he was a Republican, and then an Independent. Now he is running as a Democrat — he said the shift was a long time coming and it reflects changes in his own life.
"You know when you have children, it changes how you view things and as you prepare to put your kids in San Diego public schools, it helps you better understand the importance of a full commitment to make sure every child, regardless of race of ethnicity or neighborhood gets a quality education," he said.
Mayor Bob Filner ran for office on the platform of returning the voice to the neighborhoods and Fletcher said he wants to keep that vision alive.
"We're never going to be one as a city when we have certain neighborhoods that have been left behind," he said. "And when you go into these neighborhoods and you see communities that don't have sidewalks and don't have street lights and you see crime increasing and you see a lack of basic services, you understand their frustration."
Fletcher said the first commitment is rebuilding San Diego, beginning with neighborhoods.
Just who Fletcher's competition will be is not yet known, but so far four other names are joining Fletcher's as early candidates.
