San Diego Port Commissioner Scott Peters (D) announced Tuesday the endorsement of state Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher, who left the Republican Party in March to become an independent during his run for San Diego mayor.

“If you backed me for Mayor because you want leaders who put people ahead of party politics, then I urge you to vote for Scott Peters, too,” Fletcher said, according to a campaign release.

Peters, who is challenging Rep. Brian Bilbray (R), hopes the Fletcher endorsement will help him win over some of the large chunk of “decline-to-state” voters in the 52nd district.