Timeline: Unfolding of the Nathan Fletcher scandal

SAN DIEGO -- Nathan Fletcher has been a prominent figure in the San Diego political sphere for nearly two decades, until last month when allegations of sexual assault were levied against him.

Fletcher was first elected to office in 2008 to represent the 75th California State Assembly district. The then-Republican was re-elected in 2010, before mounting a failed bid for the San Diego mayorship in 2011. 

During that campaign, Fletcher announced that he was leaving the Republican Party to become an independent, citing shifting values in the party away from his core values.

One day before then-Mayor Bob Filner’s resignation amid sexual harassment allegations, Fletcher, now a registered Democrat, launched a second unsuccessful mayoral campaign.

In 2018, he ran for office again, this time for the District 4 seat on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. The district is composed of nearly 700,000 residents in areas such as Clairemont, La Mesa, Balboa Park, Hillcrest and Spring Valley.

He handily won the seat, later assuming the role of Chair of the Board of Supervisors in 2021. He also was appointed Chairman of the Metropolitan Transit System Board of Directors. In 2022, Fletcher was successfully re-elected.

Before the allegations of sexual misconduct sent shockwaves through local politics, Fletcher seemed on track to move into higher office.

While San Diego is no stranger to political figures crumbling ami...