SAN DIEGO (CBS 8 / CNS) - State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, R-San Diego, receives a heartfelt endorsement in his run for mayor.
The parents of murdered teen Chelsea King are throwing their support behind Fletcher, who was active in the search for their daughter when she went missing in 2010.
"As far as I'm concerned, America's Finest City deserves nothing less than what Nathan can bring to this office," said Kelly King, Chelsea's mother.
Fletcher authored a bill in their Chelsea's name to tighten scrutiny of sexually violent offenders on parole. It was signed by then Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Some of the main components of the law are enhanced sentencing with an option for life, without parole for sex offenders.
Chelsea King, 17, was raped and murdered by a registered sex offender who abducted her on Feb. 25, 2010, while she was jogging along trails in the hills above Rancho Bernardo Community Park. Her body was found by the shore of Lake Hodges, after several days of an intensive search by law enforcement and scores of volunteers.
John Albert Gardner III pleaded guilty to killing Chelsea and 14-year-old Amber Dubois of Escondido, who was slain about a year earlier.
When asked why they chose to endorse Fletcher over District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis, who is also running for mayor of San Diego, Kelly King said the assemblyman was the one who "stood up and fought" for something critical to her family and the community.
Fletcher said he was grateful for the endorsement. The couple, who now live near Chicago, have strength, compassion and grace like few other people he knows, the lawmaker said.
His campaign has also received recent endorsements from top area military leaders, including the last several unofficial Navy "mayors" of San Diego - the admiral with overall command of bases in the region.
Dumanis this week received endorsements from Public Defender Henry Coker and Charlene Zettel, a former assemblyman who is a member of the University of California Board of Regents and board of directors of the San Diego County Regional Airport Authority.
The field for the June 5, 2012 primary has a field of 15 candidates that also includes Councilman Carl DeMaio and Rep. Bob Filner, D-San Diego.