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By Nadin Abbott
Photographs Nadin Abbott and Tom Abbott
June 6th, 2012 (San Diego)--Last night as election results came in, Mayoral contender Nathan Fletcher was still telling his supporters that they were going to hold on for a few more hours for results. He said that “one year ago nobody gave us a chance.” He also told his supporters that “given the results and projections things were headed in the right direction.”
By this morning, however, with 100% of precincts counted and only some absentee and provisional ballots remaining, his showing proved not enough to overcome partisans on both sides.
He was told by the Republicans that he would have no base of support after defecting from the Party, but ended the night with 24% of the vote-a strong showing for a registered independent, albeit not enough to overtake conservative Carl DeMaio and liberal Bob Filner.
Clearly Assemblyman Fletcher, a retired Marine, gained respect in some quarters by tacking toward the middle with stances such as backing same-sex marriage, drawing attacks from conservatives for not being conservative enough, as well as barbs from Democrats who questioned his recent backing from staunch conservatives such as Karl Rove.
With voters, however, it’s clear that Fletcher’s efforts at moderation resonated with a substantial core of the populace weary of partisan politics.
Fletcher proved to be philosophical, quoting Frost, and the road less travelled. His campaign was exactly that. And while he did in the end not move to the November General Election, it proved to be one of the most competitive races in recent memory.
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