SAN DIEGO — Former Congressman Bob Filner, who resigned only nine months into his San Diego mayoral term, has died. He was 82.
Several San Diego news media outlets have reported the death of the former US lawmaker who represented the Imperial Valley in Washington for many years after the 51st District was modified in 2001.
According to the reports, Filner died on April 20, 2025, at an assisted living home in Costa Mesa.
Robert Earl Filner, who is Jewish, was born in 1942 in Pittsburgh, PA. His father was a labor union organizer, U.S. Army Veteran, and an international metal trader.
In June 1961, he was arrested for disturbing the peace and inciting a riot during a civil rights demonstration in Jackson, Mississippi.
After graduating in chemistry from Cornell University in 1963, he eventually earned a doctorate in history of science from that same university. He then moved to San Diego and served as a history professor at San Diego State University. He also worked for three US lawmakers from 1975 to 1984.
Filner was elected in 1979 to the San Diego Unified School District and in 1987 was elected to the San Diego City Council.
In 1992, Filner was elected to Congress in a five-way Democratic primary, defeating former boss Jim Bates and state Senator Wadie Deddeh. In his time, he was a member of several caucuses — Progressive, Motorcycle Safety, International Conservation, and the Veterans and Transportation and Infrastructure committees. During his time in congress Filner was also investigated.
He had a harsh rivalry with now-Congressman Juan Vargas, who endorsed him in the mayoral race.
In the mayoral race, Filner defeated then-councilmember Carl DeMaio (now a state assemblyman), becoming the first Democrat elected to the office since 1992. Months later, at least 20 women spoke against Mayor Filner, accusing him of sexual harassment, which led to his resignation. He has stayed away from the public eye since leaving the mayor’s office.
The newsroom contacted several sources, including elected officials, for comment, but to no avail.
Diahna Garcia-Ruiz, a former elected official from Heber, considered that Bob Filner was always a champion for the community of Heber.
“He looked at us as real people who just wanted the basic necessities for a dignified quality of life, like every other community in Imperial Valley,” she told the Imperial Valley Press. “Former or Retired Congressman Filner began a steady stream of funds that have led to Heber slowly but surely getting sidewalks, better parks, and our community pride back.”
Garcia-Ruiz added that Filner believed in the town’s schools and senior citizens.
“Without him, we might never have gotten our Imperial County reps to look at Heber like we matter,” she said. “May he rest in peace, and he will always have a spot in our Heberians’ hearts!”
Los Amigos de la Comunidad Executive Director Eric Reyes noted that Bob Filner was a champion of the underserved and championed the issues of the Imperial Valley when he represented us in Congress.
“He brought resources and met with a wide variety of constituents constantly with his effervescent smile and unique energy that we in the Imperial Valley had not previously experienced from any previous congressman,” Reyes continued. “Filner believed in the Imperial Valley and told me he loved representing us and felt more satisfaction when being able to deliver resources to the Valley than before.”
Of the ex-lawmaker, Reyes said he respected his tireless energy, accessibility and desire to deliver for his constituents.
“I will miss him and his outlook on life, and may he rest in eternal peace,” he said.
Former Calexico City Council member and longtime consultant Frank Salazar, who worked with Filner for over two decades, said the death of the former congressman is sad news for him and his family.
“I grew up working with him on how we could make the Imperial Valley a better place to be,” Salazar said in a phone interview. “He was one of the hardest-working men I’ve ever worked with.”
The consultant said Filner worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week, especially for the little guy, the blue-collar worker, and families.
Many years back, Filner fought for the Ambriz family of Calexico as one member was taken away to Mexicali, although the parents were American citizens. “It was Bob that fought for that family to reunite. I mean… Things haven’t changed,” Salazar said. “Boy, how we need that today.”
The consultant said Filner’s legacy should prevail over his sad end as a politician, stepping down from the Mayor’s office as occurred.
“What happened to him as mayor, I was sad, I was disappointed,” he said, adding that as human beings everybody has flaws. “I want to leave it at that (and) focus more on the positive.”
Salazar recalled that whenever residents had issues with services — especially at the federal level — Filner was always there to come up with solutions.
“He would love going to the Valley. He loved the people,” Salazar continued. “He was a hardworking guy.”
Asked if the Democratic Party needs more people like Bob Filner, the consultant considered that his party needs to focus more on issues, particularly keeping its eye on the prize by helping people suffering from issues.
“We need to do a better job. We honestly need to do a better job,” Salazar said. “I’m the first to admit (that) we need to do a better job, and I think Bob was ahead of his time.”
Filner was the first Democrat elected to congress representing the Imperial Valley. Next came Juan Vargas and Raul Ruiz.
