Nathan Fletcher

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nathan Fletcher
Fletcher in 2011
Member of the California State Assembly
from the 75th district
In office
December 1, 2008 – December 3, 2012
Preceded by George Plescia
Succeeded by Marie Waldron
Personal details
Born (1976-12-31) December 31, 1976
Carson City, Nevada
Nationality American
Political party Democratic Party
Other political
affiliations		 Republican Party (before 2012)
Independent (2012–2013)
Spouse(s) Mindy Tucker Fletcher
Residence San Diego, California
Alma mater California Baptist University
Occupation Businessman
Religion Christian
Website Nathan Fletcher for State Assembly
Military service
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Years of service 2002-2007
Unit United States Marine Corps Reserves
Battles/wars Iraq War
Awards Combat Action Ribbon


Joint Service Commendation Medal
Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (V)
Iraq Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Nathan Blaine Fletcher (born December 31, 1976) is an American politician who served in the California State Assembly. He was elected as a Republican, but changed his affiliation to Independent in March 2012,[1] and then to Democratic in 2013.

In June 2011, Fletcher announced his candidacy for the mayorship of San Diego.[2] However, he came in third in the June 2012 primary so he did not advance to the general election.[3] With the resignation of Mayor Bob Filner in 2013, Fletcher declared his candidacy in the special election to replace him.[4]

Early life and education

Fletcher was born in Carson City, Nevada. He has a Bachelor of Science in political science from California Baptist University.

Military service

Fletcher came out of the military as a sergeant and is a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne Course and Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center.[5] In 2004, he served eight months in the Sunni Triangle region of Iraq. Among some of his awards from this tour are the Navy–Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat "V" for valor,[6] Combat Action Ribbon, and Iraqi Campaign Medal.[6] Fletcher served in United States Marine Corps Reserve as a counterintelligence/human intelligence specialist, working in the Horn of Africa on his final deployment, and earning the Joint Service Commendation Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.[6]

Legislative and political career

In 2008 he was elected to the Assembly representing the 75th Assembly District, which includes the City of Poway, portions of Escondido, La Jolla, University City, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, and Carmel Valley, and the communities of Fairbanks Ranch, and Rancho Santa Fe. He won with 52.2% of the vote.[7] He was re-elected in 2010 with 60.5% of the vote.[8]

In his first term, Fletcher had a number of pieces of legislation signed into law, including legislation relating to veterans, job creation, water infrastructure, and health care.[9] He is best known for his sponsorship of Chelsea's Law, which toughened penalties and restrictions on violent sexual predators.[10] He was chosen as one of two Republican Party whips in 2010.[11]

In March 2012, midway through his campaign for mayor of San Diego, Fletcher announced that he was quitting the Republican Party to become an independent.[12] His announcement came a few weeks after the San Diego County Republican party endorsed rival Republican Carl DeMaio. The decision generated a flurry of publicity and a surge in the polls.[13] However, he placed third in the June 2012 primary election for with 24.00% of the vote.[2][3]

On May 4, 2013, Fletcher announced that he had again changed his political affiliation, this time from Independent to Democrat.[14]

On August 20, 2013 Fletcher officially filed his intention to be a mayoral candidate with the City Clerk's Office—a day before a tentative agreement was reached for Mayor Bob Filner's resignation.[15] He was endorsed by California Governor Jerry Brown and Attorney General Kamala Harris.[16] However, in the election held November 19, 2013 he came in third with 24.3 percent of the vote and thus did not advance to the runoff election in February 2014.[17] On November 20 he conceded and endorsed fellow Democrat David Alvarez. He added that he intends to withdraw from public life and that "this election marks the end of my time in politics".[18]

Post-political career

Following the end of his legislative term in December 2, 2012, Fletcher became the Senior Director of Corporate Development at Qualcomm. He said in a statement that his position will include developing global strategies for wireless health initiatives, mobile education and the protection of intellectual property but will not involve lobbying or government relations.[19] He also teaches political science at the University of California, San Diego [20] and is a commentator for Fox 5 San Diego.[21]

Personal

Fletcher is an Ironman Triathlete, marathon runner, alpine mountaineer and mountain biker.[5] He is a graduate of California Baptist University,[5] where he received a President's Scholarship.[22] He lives in San Diego with his wife, Mindy, who has served as Deputy Campaign Manager and Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.[23] Fletcher has served on the Board of Directors for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Historical Society.[24]

References

  1. ↑ Craig Gustafson (March 28, 2012). "Fletcher quits GOP, turns independent". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 2012-03-31. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Assemblyman Fletcher Enters San Diego Mayoral Race". Scripps TV Station Group. June 6, 2011. Retrieved 2012-04-01. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "County of San Diego Presidential Primary Election, June 5, 2012". San Diego County Registrar of Voters. Retrieved 19 November 2012. 
  4. ↑ "Former assemblyman files papers to fill Bob Filner's mayoral seat". Los Angeles Times. August 23, 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Nathan Fletcher: a short bio". San Diego Union Tribune. Aug 7, 2011. Retrieved 2011-04-01. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 Craig Gustafson (Nov 26, 2011). "Mayoral candidate served in Iraq, Africa". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 2012-03-31. 
  7. ↑ California Secretary of State: November 2008 election results
  8. ↑ California Secretary of State: November 2010 election results
  9. ↑ "Nathan Fletcher". California State Assembly. Retrieved 2012-03-31. 
  10. ↑ Gardner, Michael (August 19, 2012). "Chelsea's Law could launch national movement". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 19 November 2012. 
  11. ↑ "San Diego GOP lawmakers named to leadership posts", San Diego Union Tribune, December 13, 2010
  12. ↑ Skelton, George (April 2, 2012). "California GOP loses an up-and-comer in Nathan Fletcher - Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 November 2012. 
  13. ↑ "Poll: Nathan Fletcher jumps to second in San Diego mayor race". Sacramento Bee. April 13, 2012. Retrieved 19 November 2012. 
  14. ↑ "Former assemblyman, San Diego mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher joining Democratic Party". ABC 10 News. May 4, 2013. Retrieved 3 November 2013. 
  15. ↑ Gustafson, Craig (August 23, 2013). "Fletcher declares intent to run for mayor". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 3 November 2013. 
  16. ↑ Weisberg, Lori (October 29, 2013). "http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/oct/29/attorney-general-kamala-harris-fletcher-mayor/". San Diego Union Tribune. Retrieved 3 November 2013. 
  17. ↑ "San Diego mayor race: Alvarez, Faulconer expected to meet in runoff". ABC 10 News. November 19, 2013. Retrieved 20 November 2013. 
  18. ↑ "Nathan Fletcher concedes San Diego mayoral race, endorses David Alvarez". ABC 10 News. November 20, 2013. Retrieved 21 November 2013. 
  19. ↑ Steussy, Lauren (November 15, 2012). "Fletcher's New Job: Qualcomm". NBC 7 San Diego. Retrieved 19 November 2012. 
  20. ↑ http://polisci.ucsd.edu/faculty/fletcher.html
  21. ↑ http://fox5sandiego.com/nathan-fletchers-notes/
  22. ↑ "California Baptist University : Scholarships and Grants". Retrieved May 3, 2012. 
  23. ↑ "Chamber turns on the charm". Sacramento Bee. February 12, 2006. p. D1. 
  24. ↑ "Society SitRep". San Diego, CA: Marine Corps Recruit Depot Historical Society. July 2010. Retrieved 2012-04-01. 

External links

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.