Fletcher Concedes Race to Alvarez, Faulconer

Alvarez said leaders who have been supporting Fletcher have already reached out to him

As the San Diego Registrar of Voters continues its ballot count, former Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher conceded to City Councilman David Alvarez and said he will no longer seek public office.

Alvarez and Fletcher are within 3,000 votes for second place to Councilmember Kevin Faulconer after all precincts reported early Wednesday.

San Diego Registrar of Voters Michael Vu said there is an estimated 34,500 mail and provisional ballots yet to be counted. His staff has 28 days to account for all the ballots and then must verify signatures.

“I know exactly what I will do with all of my new free time,” Fletcher said describing a morning of playing with his children, surfing and going to work for Qualcomm.

“I leave today with my head held high, feeling really good about the campaign we ran.”

Fletcher said he puts his full support behind Democrat Alvarez adding that he will make a great mayor.

Alvarez was offered an opportunity to appear this morning but declined. He later spoke to crowds at a rally outside UC San Diego Medical Center.

He was is greeted by a thrilled crowd in Hillcrest where service workers are protesting.

While he hadn't heard from Fletcher or opponent Michael Aguirre as of 11 a.m., Alvarez said leaders who have been supporting Fletcher have already reached out to him.

He said he will not go negative in the campaign.

When challenged with the belief of some political analysts who claim a candidate can't win without going negative, Alvarez said he hopes that's not true.

Faulconer appeared on NBC 7 News Today with Marianne Kushi to discuss his plans for the runoff.

The special election drew a 30-percent voter Tuesday, not including mail-ins.

Contact Us