Bob Filner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob Filner
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Official portrait, 2013
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| 35th Mayor of San Diego | |
| In office December 3, 2012 – August 30, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Jerry Sanders |
| Succeeded by | Todd Gloria (Acting) |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California |
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| In office January 3, 1993 – December 3, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | New Constituency (Redistricting) |
| Succeeded by | Juan Vargas |
| Constituency | 50th district (1993–2003) 51st district (2003–2012) |
| Ranking Member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2011 – December 3, 2012 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Buyer |
| Succeeded by | Mike Michaud |
| Chair of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee | |
| In office January 4, 2007 – January 3, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Steve Buyer |
| Succeeded by | Jeff Miller |
| Member of the San Diego City Council from the 8th district | |
| In office December 1987 – January 3, 1993 |
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| Preceded by | Uvaldo Martinez |
| Succeeded by | Juan Vargas |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Robert Earl Filner
September 4, 1942 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Died | April 20, 2025 (aged 82) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouses | Barbara Christy (divorced) Jane Merrill (divorced) |
| Residences | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
| Alma mater | Cornell University (BA, PhD) University of Delaware (MA) |
| Occupation | College professor |
Robert Earl Filner (September 4, 1942 – April 20, 2025) was an American politician. He served as the 35th mayor of San Diego from December 2012 to August 2013.
Before becoming mayor, Filner was a U.S. representative for California. He represented the 50th and 51st districts from 1993 to 2012. He also led the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs from 2007 to 2011.
Early Life and Education
Robert Filner was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1942. His family was Jewish. His father, Joseph H. Filner, was a labor union organizer and a veteran of the U.S. Army.
Filner attended Cornell University. While there, he worked for the student newspaper, The Cornell Daily Sun. He also took part in civil rights demonstrations. In 1961, he was arrested in Jackson, Mississippi, as a Freedom Rider. He spent two months in jail for "disturbing the peace."
He earned a degree in chemistry from Cornell in 1963. Six years later, he received his doctorate in the history of science from the same university.
Career in Public Service
After finishing his studies, Filner moved to San Diego. He became a history professor at San Diego State University, teaching for over 20 years.
He also worked for several U.S. politicians. These included Senator Hubert Humphrey and Congressman Don Fraser from Minnesota. He also worked for Congressman Jim Bates from the San Diego area.
His career in elected office began in 1979. He ran for the San Diego Unified School District Board of Education. He won after opposing the closing of a local school. His focus on "back to basics" education was popular. In 1982, his colleagues chose him as president of the board.
In 1987, he was elected to the San Diego City Council. He was reelected in 1991. His fellow council members then elected him as deputy mayor of San Diego.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives
Becoming a Representative
After the 1990 census, California gained new seats in Congress. One of these was the 50th District. This district was later renumbered as the 51st District. It included parts of San Diego, Chula Vista, National City, and Imperial County. It is a very diverse area, with many different ethnic groups.
In 1992, Filner ran for this new seat. He won a close primary election against four other Democrats. One of his opponents was his former boss, Jim Bates. The district was strongly Democratic. Filner won the general election with 57 percent of the vote. He was reelected nine times, sometimes without any opposition.
In 2012, Filner decided not to run for Congress again. Instead, he chose to run for mayor of San Diego. He left the House of Representatives on December 3, 2012.
Key Work in Congress
Filner was a founding member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus. This group focuses on progressive policies. He also joined other groups, like the Congressional Motorcycle Safety Caucus.
He was known for helping people in his district with their problems. He also worked on important laws. For example, in 2008, he supported a resolution for National Aviation Maintenance Technician Day.
Helping Veterans
Filner was a key member of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs. He became the chairman of this committee in 2007. As chairman, he worked hard to get more money for veterans' benefits. He also pushed for more spending on healthcare for veterans. He supported a new GI bill for veterans of the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Supporting Filipino Americans
Filner's district had many Filipino American residents. Because of this, he focused on issues important to the Philippines and Filipino veterans. He helped pass laws that allowed Filipino veterans to receive government payments if they moved back to the Philippines. He also helped them get burial benefits and access to VA clinics.
In 2009, Filner helped secure $198 million in pension benefits for Filipino veterans. These veterans had served the United States in World War II. This money was given as a one-time payment of $15,000.
Committee Roles
While in Congress, Filner served on these important committees:
- Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- Subcommittee on Aviation
- Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
- Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment
- Committee on Veterans' Affairs (He was the top-ranking Democrat on this committee.)
Becoming Mayor of San Diego
The Mayoral Election
On June 8, 2011, Filner announced he would run for mayor of San Diego in 2012. In the primary election on June 5, 2012, he came in second place. He then faced city council member Carl DeMaio in the final election in November 2012.
Filner won the election, defeating DeMaio with 52.5% of the votes. At 70 years old, he became San Diego's first Democratic mayor elected since 1992.
His Time as Mayor
In his first speech as mayor, Filner promised to improve San Diego's neighborhoods. He wanted to make city services better and increase public safety staff. He also aimed to create more jobs and build stronger connections with Tijuana, Mexico.
Personal Life
Robert Filner was married twice. His first wife was Barbara Christy Filner. They had two children, a son and a daughter. He later married Jane Merrill, but they divorced in 2011.
In 2012, after being elected mayor, Filner introduced his fiancée, Bronwyn Ingram. She worked as a disability analyst. Their engagement ended in July 2013.
Robert Filner passed away on April 20, 2025, at the age of 82.
Images for kids
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Bob Filner with the 2009 Little League World Series champions meeting Barack Obama
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Bob Filner's press conference about veterans
See also
In Spanish: Bob Filner para niños
