Help us improve in just 2 minutes—share your thoughts in our reader survey.
Bob Filner
Bob Filner (D) was an American politician who previously served as mayor of San Diego and as a member of Congress.
Filner was a member of the U.S. House representing California's 51st Congressional District from 1992 to 2012. Filner did not seek re-election in 2012. He instead ran successfully for mayor of San Diego.[1][2] He resigned from Congress on December 3, 2012 to assume his role as mayor of San Diego.[3]
In July and August of 2013, at least 17 women came forward and accused Filner of sexual harassment. He subsequently announced on August 23, 2013, that he would resign on August 30, 2013. On October 15, 2013, Filner pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and battery charges. He was sentenced to three years probation and was barred from ever running for public office again.[4][5][6][7][8]
Filner passed away on April 20, 2025.[9]
Biography
Filner was born on September 4, 1942, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He earned his B.A. from Cornell University in 1963, his M.A. from the University of Delaware in 1969, and his Ph.D. from Cornell University in 1973.[10]
Noteworthy events
Accusations of sexual harassment
In July 2013, Filner was accused of sexual harassment by Irene McCormack Jackson, a former communications director for Filner during his time as mayor of San Diego.[11] It was also reported that McCormack Jackson had filed a lawsuit on July 22, 2013, in San Diego. McCormack Jackson stated, "He thought it was acceptable behavior to regularly make sexual comments that were crude and disgusting."[11] The Sheriff's Department of San Diego County also began a special hotline after admissions by Filner of "disrespecting and even intimidating women in the past."[11]
Filner responded to the accusations on July 22, 2013, with a statement that he was "saddened by the charges" and stated that he did not believe the claims were "valid."[12] Filner was also accused of sexual harassment by 13 more women.[13]
Recall effort
Following the accusations of the sexual harassment, attempts to recall Filner began. All nine of San Diego's City Council members called upon Filner to resign.[14] In an August 12, 2013, statement, Filner stated that "now is not the time to go backwards" and reiterated previous campaign promises.[14]
Filner's opponent in the 2012 San Diego mayoral race, Carl DeMaio, stated that he attempted to bring up Filner's treatment of women during his campaign. DeMaio stated, "We certainly knew he didn't have the temperament to be mayor."[15]
Filner announced on July 26, 2013 that he would undergo two weeks of sexual harassment therapy at a behavioral counseling clinic. He was slated to return to work on August 19, 2013.[16] Filner completed the therapy on August 10, 2013, a week earlier than previously announced, and said he would continue outpatient therapy.[13]
Resignation
On August 21, 2013, Filner announced his resignation as Mayor of San Diego. Speaking to the San Diego City Council, Filner said, "I had no intention to be offensive, to violate any physical or personal space," and "I never had any intention to be a mayor who went out this way." Filner's resignation went into effect on August 30, 2013.[17]
Career
Below is an abbreviated outline of Filner's academic, professional, and political career:
- 2012-2013: Mayor of San Diego
- 1993-2012: U.S. House of Representatives, California's 51st Congressional District
- 1987-1992: San Diego City Council
- 1984: Staff, United States Representative Jim Bates of California
- 1979-1983: San Diego School Board
- 1976: Staff, United States Representative Donald M. Fraser of Minnesota
- 1975: Staff, United States Senator Hubert H. Humphrey of Minnesota
- 1970-1992: Faculty, San Diego State University
Committee assignments
U.S. House
2011-2012
Filner served on the following committees:[18]
- Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
- Subcommittee on Aviation
- Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
- Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
- Veterans' Affairs Committee, Ranking Member
Elections
2012
Filner did not seek re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. He instead ran successfully for the San Diego mayor's position.[19] Juan Vargas (D) defeated Michael Crimmins (R) in the general election for Filner's previous Congressional seat.
2010
On November 2, 2010, Filner won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Nick Popaditch (R) in the general election.[20]
| U.S. House, California District 51 General Election, 2010 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Bob Filner Incumbent |
60.1% | 86,423 | |
| Republican | Nick Popaditch | 39.9% | 57,488 | |
| Total Votes | 143,911 | |||
Campaign finance summary
Ballotpedia currently provides campaign finance data for all federal- and state-level candidates from 2020 and later. We are continuously working to expand our data to include prior elections. That information will be published here as we acquire it. If you would like to help us provide this data, please consider donating to Ballotpedia.
Analysis
Bill sponsorship
Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Filner was a "far-left Democratic leader."[21]
Congressional staff salaries
The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Filner paid his congressional staff a total of $1,114,084 in 2011. He ranks 150th on the list of the lowest paid Democratic representative staff salaries and ranks 52nd overall of the highest paid representative staff salaries in 2011. Overall, California ranks 5th in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.[22]
Staff bonuses
According to an analysis by CNN, Filner was one of nearly 25 percent of House members who gave their staff bonuses in 2012. Filner's staff was given an apparent $21,620.00 in bonus money.[23]
Net worth
Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org, Filner's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $353,017 and $1,130,999. That averages to $742,008, which is lower than the average net worth of Democratic representatives in 2010 of $4,465,875.[24]
National Journal vote ratings
- See also: National Journal vote ratings
2012
Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Filner's vote ratings are unavailable for 2012.[25]
2011
Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of Congress voted in the previous year. Filner was 1 of 19 members of congress who ranked 1st in the liberal rankings in 2011.[26]
Political positions
Voting with party
November 2011
Bob Filner voted with the Democratic Party 93.2 percent of the time, which ranked 74 among the 192 House Democratic members as of 2011.[27]
Recent news
This section links to a Google news search for the term Bob + Filner + San + Diego
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Filner and his wife, Jane Merrill, had two children.
External links
- Social media:
- Biographies:
- Political profiles:
- Financial (federal level):
- Interest group ratings:
- Issue positions:
- Public statements:
- Voting record:
- Media appearances:
- Media coverage:
Footnotes
- ↑ UT San Diego, "DeMaio concedes to Filner in mayor's race," November 7, 2012
- ↑ "2012 HOUSE SUMMARY," cookpolitical.com
- ↑ National Journal, "Filner Resigns, Sworn In As San Diego Mayor," December 3, 2012
- ↑ CNN "San Diego Mayor Bob Filner could resign today," August 23, 2013
- ↑ The New York Times, "After Dodging Harassment Allegations, San Diego Mayor Is Reported Set to Resign," August 22, 2013
- ↑ Fox News, "San Diego Mayor Bob Filner agrees to resign," August 23, 2013
- ↑ CBS News, "Bob Filner agrees to resign," August 23, 2013
- ↑ New York Times, "Ex-Mayor of San Diego Pleads Guilty to Charges of Sexual Harassment,"
- ↑ fox5sandiego, “Bob Filner, the ex-mayor of San Diego mired in sexual misconduct, dead at 82" accessed April 30, 2025
- ↑ Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, "FILNER, Bob, (1942 - )" accessed April 19, 2012
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 NBC 7 San Diego, "San Diego Mayor's Ex-Staffer Details Alleged Sexual Harassment: "Worst Time of My Entire Working Life," July 23, 2013
- ↑ NBC 7 San Diego, "Mayor Responds to Harassment Lawsuit," July 23, 2013
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Los Angeles Times, "Filner to end therapy earlier than announced, return to San Diego," August 9, 2013
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Los Angeles Times, "San Diego Mayor Filner rebuffs recall move over sex harassment claims," August 13, 2013
- ↑ ABC10 News, "Carl DeMaio says he tried to bring up Bob Filner's behavior toward women during campaign," August 13, 2013
- ↑ Politico, "Bob Filner seeks therapy, won't step down," July 26, 2013
- ↑ NPR, “San Diego Mayor Bob Filner Announces His Resignation" accessed May 8, 2025
- ↑ Congressman Bob Filner, Serving the People of California's 51st District, "Committees"
- ↑ "2012 HOUSE SUMMARY," cookpolitical.com
- ↑ U.S. Congress House Clerk, "Statistics of the Congressional Election of November 2, 2010," accessed March 28, 2013
- ↑ GovTrack, "Bob Filner" accessed April 19, 2012
- ↑ LegiStorm, "Bob Filner"
- ↑ CNN Politics, "Congressional bonuses in a time of cuts," accessed March 8, 2013
- ↑ OpenSecrets, "Filner, (D-Cali), 2010"
- ↑ National Journal, "2012 Congressional Vote Ratings," February 21, 2013
- ↑ National Journal, "Searchable Vote Ratings Tables: House," accessed February 23, 2012
- ↑ OpenCongress, "Voting With Party," accessed July 2014
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Jerry Sanders |
Mayor of San Diego 2012-2013 |
Succeeded by ' |
| Preceded by Duke Cunningham |
U.S. House of Representatives - California, District 51 1993-2012 |
Succeeded by Juan Vargas |
| Preceded by ' |
San Diego City Council 1987-1992 |
Succeeded by - |
| Preceded by ' |
San Diego School Board 1979-1983 |
Succeeded by - |
