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No April Fools Joke: Fletcher Joins Democrats

Ex-GOP assemblyman who turned "independent" in midst of losing campaign for mayor backed by Qualcomm execs now says he's a Democrat

This past April Fools day, some wag posted an item on the Internet saying that ex-Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, who began his run for mayor last year as a Republican and switched mid-campaign to a self-proclaimed "independent," was returning to the GOP.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/may/04/44959/

That was a joke, but now, according to the modern day equivalent of the horse's mouth - Fletcher's own Facebook page - the one-time Republican party state operative who is married to a former press aide to George W. Bush, has pulled yet another switch: he's become a Democrat.

...because I grew up in a working class blue-collar Democratic family I was often asked why I was a Republican. It was because I thought their policies provided the best access to the American Dream.

I no longer believe that is true. In my opinion, the GOP today is more focused on protecting those who have already achieved the American Dream than allowing others access to it.

Fletcher's self-described "blue-collar" upbringing and earlier life - details of which are not related in his official bio, as previously reported here - had a hard edge, but before turning independent last year his public profile had always been that of a staunch Republican.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/may/04/44960/

During his run for mayor, Fletcher was backed by Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs and other company execs. Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs officially endorsed GOP District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis for mayor, but later gave cash to the Fletcher effort.

Following his exit from the Assembly, Fletcher was hired by Qualcomm.

Irwin Jacobs and family members have given millions of dollars to Democratic causes over the years, including last year's $2 million to an independent effort to help re-elect Barack Obama.

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Melissa Etheridge, The Imaginary Amazon

Events April 1-April 3, 2024

This past April Fools day, some wag posted an item on the Internet saying that ex-Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, who began his run for mayor last year as a Republican and switched mid-campaign to a self-proclaimed "independent," was returning to the GOP.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/may/04/44959/

That was a joke, but now, according to the modern day equivalent of the horse's mouth - Fletcher's own Facebook page - the one-time Republican party state operative who is married to a former press aide to George W. Bush, has pulled yet another switch: he's become a Democrat.

...because I grew up in a working class blue-collar Democratic family I was often asked why I was a Republican. It was because I thought their policies provided the best access to the American Dream.

I no longer believe that is true. In my opinion, the GOP today is more focused on protecting those who have already achieved the American Dream than allowing others access to it.

Fletcher's self-described "blue-collar" upbringing and earlier life - details of which are not related in his official bio, as previously reported here - had a hard edge, but before turning independent last year his public profile had always been that of a staunch Republican.

http://sandiegoreader.com/users/photos/2013/may/04/44960/

During his run for mayor, Fletcher was backed by Qualcomm CEO Paul Jacobs and other company execs. Qualcomm founder Irwin Jacobs officially endorsed GOP District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis for mayor, but later gave cash to the Fletcher effort.

Following his exit from the Assembly, Fletcher was hired by Qualcomm.

Irwin Jacobs and family members have given millions of dollars to Democratic causes over the years, including last year's $2 million to an independent effort to help re-elect Barack Obama.

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