Nathan Fletcher

{{short description|Member of San Diego County Board of Supervisors (born 19476)}} {{Cleanup bare URLs|date=September 2022}} {{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Nathan Fletcher | image = Nathan Fletcher 2013.jpg | caption = Fletcher in 2013 | office = Member of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for the 4th district | term_start = January 7, 2019<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ruth |first1=Brooke |last2=Hindmon |first2=Jade |title=Nathan Fletcher Proposes Assistance To Asylum Seekers As First Act On Board Of Supervisors |url=https://www.kpbs.org/news/2019/jan/08/q-nathan-fletcher-being-only-democrat-county-board |website=kpbs.org |date=January 8, 2019 |accessdate=January 11, 2019}}</ref> | term_end = May 15, 2023 | predecessor = Ron Roberts | successor = Monica Montgomery Steppe | office1 = Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors | term_start1 = January 5, 2021 | term_end1 = January 9, 2023 | predecessor1 = Greg Cox | successor1 = Nora Vargas | office2 = Member of the California State Assembly for the 75th district | term_start2 = December 1, 2008 | term_end2 = November 30, 2012 | predecessor2 = George Plescia | successor2 = Marie Waldron | birth_name = Nathan Blaine Fletcher | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1976|12|31|mf=y}} | birth_place = Carson City, Nevada, US | spouse = {{plainlist| * {{marriage|Mindy Tucker|2003|2015|end=divorce}} * {{marriage|Lorena Gonzalez|2017}} }} | children = 2 | occupation = Politician, educator | alma_mater = California Baptist University | party = Republican (until 2012)<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/California-Assemblyman-Nathan-Fletcher-quits-GOP-3442860.php|title=California Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher quits GOP|work=SFGATE |date=March 29, 2012 |last1=Marinucci |first1=Carla }}</ref> No party preference (2012–2013) Democratic (2013–present) | website = [http://www.nathanfletcher.com/ Nathan Fletcher] | allegiance = {{flag|United States}} | branch = {{flag|United States Marine Corps}} | service_years = 1997–2007 | rank = Staff Sergeant | mawards = {{Collapsible list|title = 8 |15px Combat Action Ribbon Airborne |15px Joint Service Commendation Medal |15px Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (V) |15px Iraq Campaign Medal |15px Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |15px Global War on Terrorism Service Medal |15px National Defense Service Medal |15px Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal }} | unit = United States Marine Corps Reserves | battles = Iraq War Global War on Terror }}

'''Nathan Blaine Fletcher''' (born December 31, 1976) is an American politician who most recently served on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors for the 4th District since 2019, serving as chair from 2021 to 2023.<ref name="Chair">{{cite web|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2021-01-05/nathan-fletcher-selected-chair-of-county-board-of-supervisors|title=Nathan Fletcher selected chair of county Board of Supervisors|date=January 5, 2021|access-date=August 8, 2021|last=Warth|first=Gary|website=San Diego Union Tribune}}</ref> On March 26, 2023, he announced he would seek treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder and alcoholism.<ref name="Summerville">{{cite news|url=https://www.10news.com/news/local-news/san-diego-news/nathan-fletcher-admits-to-affair-responds-to-new-lawsuit-over-allegations|title=Nathan Fletcher admits to affair, responds to new lawsuit over allegations|last=Summerville|first=Krista|date=March 29, 2023|work=San Diego 10 News|access-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> On March 29, 2023, news broke of a lawsuit by an employee of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System alleging that Fletcher had sexually assaulted her and that she was then fired after resisting his advances,<ref name="Fletcher Resigns as MTS Chair">{{cite news|url=https://voiceofsandiego.org/2023/03/29/fletcher-resigns-as-mts-chair-as-former-agency-employee-accuses-him-of-sexual-harassment-and-assault-in-lawsuit/|title=Fletcher Resigns as MTS Chair|date=March 29, 2023|work=Voice of San Diego|access-date=29 March 2023}}</ref><ref name="NBC 7 San Diego">{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/former-mts-worker-alleges-nathan-fletcher-sexually-assaulted-her-he-says-they-had-consensual-interactions/3197974/|title=Ex MTS Worker Alleges Nathan Fletcher Sexually Assaulted Her; He Says They Had 'Consensual Interactions'|date=March 29, 2023|work=NBC 7 San Diego|access-date=29 March 2023}}</ref> and that evening, he announced his resignation from the board of supervisors, effective at the end of his medical leave.<ref name="resignationtweet">{{cite tweet|user=nathanfletcher|number=1641312269098455040|title=The strain on my wife and family over this past week has been immense and unbearable. A combination of my personal mistakes plus false accusations has created a burden that my family shouldn't have to bear. I will be resigning from the Board of Supervisors, effective at the end of my medical leave. I will focus solely on getting healthy and being a good husband, father and friend.}}</ref>

Fletcher previously served two terms in the California State Assembly and has been a part-time adjunct professor of practice in political science at the University of California, San Diego.<ref name=":0" />[[Nathan Fletcher#cite note-Guardian-2|[2]]]

==Early life and education== Fletcher was born and spent the early years of his life in Carson City, Nevada. His parents divorced when he was two years old, and his mother Sherrie Morgan, moved with him to Smackover, Arkansas. There, she met and married Danny Farley, who worked at an International Paper factory. His biological father, Randy Fletcher, a former deputy sheriff, obtained a custody decree in Nevada. Randy Fletcher then drove to Arkansas, where he took Nathan from his mother and returned to Nevada with him. A Nevada judge granted custody to Randy Fletcher with visitation rights for Sherrie. Nathan describes his father as abusive and said this period of his life was "a living hell".<ref name=":0" />

Fletcher was sent back to live with his mother when he was eight years old; he remained with her and Danny Farley for the rest of his childhood. He says that when he talks about his dad, he is referring to his stepfather Danny Farley, whom he counts as his only real father figure. His childhood and family background became an issue during his campaign for mayor, when opponents accused him of dishonesty because of apparent inconsistencies in talking about his father. He had tried to keep the details of his background private, but faced with the accusations, he and his mother gave an interview to KPBS in which they explained the apparent contradictions as resulting from the difference between his biological father and his stepfather.<ref name=":0">{{cite web|last=Faryon|first=Joanne|title=The Truth About Nathan Fletcher: Mayoral Candidate Reveals Abusive Childhood (Video)|date=November 4, 2013|url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/nov/04/truth-about-nathan-fletcher-mayoral-candiate-revea/|publisher=KPBS San Diego|accessdate=November 14, 2013}}</ref>

He graduated from Smackover High School and moved to California, earning a Bachelor of Science in political science from California Baptist University.

== Career == After graduating from college, Fletcher worked for the International Republican Institute,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Full Biography for Nathan Fletcher|url=http://www.smartvoter.org/2008/11/04/ca/state/vote/fletcher_n/bio.html|access-date=2021-08-30|website=www.smartvoter.org}}</ref> a nongovernmental organization seeking to build and improve democracies around the world.<ref>{{cite web|last=Kucher|first=Karen|title=Fletcher hired as professor at UCSD|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Jan/18/ucsd-hires-nathan-fletcher-professor/2/?#article-copy|publisher=Union Tribune San Diego|accessdate=January 18, 2013}}</ref> This included time abroad working with non-governmental organizations in Myanmar, East Timor, Cambodia, and Serbia.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bio|url=http://polisci.ucsd.edu/faculty/fletcher.html|publisher=UCSD San Diego|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130804065514/http://polisci.ucsd.edu/faculty/fletcher.html|archive-date=August 4, 2013}}</ref>

===Military service=== thumb|left|upright|Fletcher served in Iraq in 2004. Fletcher joined the United States Marine Corps as a reservist in 1997 and became an active-duty Marine in 2002. He served as a counterintelligence/human intelligence specialist. In 2007, he was honorably discharged, with the rank of staff sergeant. He is a graduate of the U.S. Army Airborne Course and Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center.<ref name=short_bio/>

In 2004, he served eight months in the Sunni Triangle region of Iraq. Among his awards from that tour of duty are the Navy–Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat "V" a combat distinguishing device,<ref name=ut2011_11_26/> Combat Action Ribbon, and Iraqi Campaign Medal.<ref name=ut2011_11_26>{{cite news | newspaper = San Diego Union-Tribune | first = Craig | last = Gustafson | title = Mayoral candidate served in Iraq, Africa | date = November 26, 2011 | accessdate = March 31, 2012 | url = http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/nov/26/mayoral-candidate-saw-combat-in-iraq-duty-in/ }}</ref> He worked in the Horn of Africa on his final deployment and earning the Joint Service Commendation Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.<ref name=ut2011_11_26/>

During his time in Iraq, Fletcher worked to build relationships with the native population, leading his supervisors to describe him as "compassionate and focused."<ref>{{cite web|last1=Dillon|first1=Liam|title=For Fletcher, Military and Political Identities Rooted in the Personal|url=http://voiceofsandiego.org/2011/12/18/for-fletcher-military-and-political-identities-rooted-in-the-personal/|website=voiceofsandiego.org|date=December 19, 2011|publisher=Voice of San Diego|accessdate=July 7, 2014}}</ref> On April 9, 2004, Fletcher and three other Marines fended off an enemy ambush when participating in a Quick Reaction Force to aid a VIP convoy.<ref name = "award"/> He was responsible for authorizing 150 intelligence reports, which amounted to 31 percent of the reports generated by the team of six Counter Intelligence Marines.<ref name = "award">{{cite web|last1=Salas|first1=Dagny|title=Nathan Fletcher Award Recommendation|url=http://voiceofsandiego.org/2011/12/17/nathan-fletcher-award-recommendation-asset/|website=voiceofsandiego.org|publisher=Voice of San Diego|accessdate=July 7, 2014|archive-date=July 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165346/http://voiceofsandiego.org/2011/12/17/nathan-fletcher-award-recommendation-asset/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Politics==

===District Director for United States Congress===

Fletcher got his start in San Diego politics serving for two years as the district director for Republican Congressman Duke Cunningham. "But for most of that time, Fletcher didn’t work there. Fletcher was on active duty in the Marines," according to an investigative report by the ''Voice of San Diego'' published in 2012 on Fletcher's working relationship with the jailed former Congressman.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2012-02-07|title=Nathan and the Duke|url=https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/mayor-2012/nathan-and-the-duke/|access-date=2021-08-30|website=Voice of San Diego|language=en-US}}</ref>

===State Assembly=== {{See also|2008 California State Assembly election#District 75|2010 California State Assembly election#District 75}} In 2008, he was elected to the Assembly representing the 75th Assembly District, still as a Republican, 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.<ref>[http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2008_general/40_56_state_assembly.pdf California Secretary of State: November 2008 election results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018060636/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2008_general/40_56_state_assembly.pdf |date=October 18, 2012 }}</ref> He was re-elected in 2010 with 60.5% of the vote.<ref>[http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2010-general/73-state-assembly.pdf California Secretary of State: November 2010 election results] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018063255/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2010-general/73-state-assembly.pdf |date=October 18, 2012 }}</ref>

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.<ref name=nathanfletcher_bio>{{ cite web | title = Nathan Fletcher | publisher = California State Assembly | url = http://arc.asm.ca.gov/member/75/?p=bio | accessdate = March 31, 2012 }}</ref> He was chosen as one of two Republican Party whips in 2010.<ref>[http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/dec/13/san-diego-gop-lawmakers-named-leadership-posts/ "San Diego GOP lawmakers named to leadership posts"], San Diego Union Tribune, December 13, 2010</ref>

As a legislator, he also sponsored Chelsea's Law, which toughened penalties and restrictions on violent sexual predators.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/aug/19/chelseas-law-could-launch-a-movement/|title=Chelsea's Law could launch national movement|last=Gardner|first=Michael|date=August 19, 2012|work=San Diego Union Tribune|accessdate=November 19, 2012}}</ref> On February 25, 2010, 17-year-old Chelsea King was murdered by John Albert Gardner when jogging at a local community park in Rancho Bernardo. Gardner was a registered sex offender at the time of the murder and later admitted to killing 14-year-old Amber DuBois in 2009. In response to the public outrage, Fletcher sponsored Chelsea's Law to prevent future tragedies by offering life without parole sentencing to criminals charged with violent sex offenses.<ref>{{cite web|title=AB1844|url=http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/09-10/bill/asm/ab_1801-1850/ab_1844_cfa_20100419_102425_asm_comm.html|website=leginfo.ca.gov/|publisher=California State Assembly}}</ref> The bill was signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on September 10, 2010.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Duke|first1=Alan|title=Schwarzenegger signs California's 'Chelsea's Law'|url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/09/california.chelseas.law/|accessdate=July 7, 2014|publisher=CNN|date=September 10, 2010}}</ref>

In May 2010, Fletcher gave an Assembly floor speech<ref>{{cite web|last=Fletcher|first=Nathan|title=Speech in support of SJR 9|website=YouTube|date=May 13, 2010 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_8SdodoIRg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/T_8SdodoIRg |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|accessdate=May 13, 2010}}{{cbignore}}</ref> in support of California Senate Joint Resolution 9, which called upon Congress and the President to repeal the U. S. Armed Forces policy known as "Don't ask, don't tell" (DADT). Fletcher, a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq and other locations, was the first California Republican legislator to endorse ending this policy. His speech was described as "one of the most eloquent on the floor for some time."<ref>{{cite web|last=Gardner|first=Mike|title=Fletcher Backs End to "Don't Ask Don't Tell" Policy|url=http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2010/may/13/fletcher-backs-end-dont-ask-dont-tell-policy/|work=Newspaper|publisher=San Diego Union Tribune|accessdate=May 13, 2010|archive-date=May 2, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502223005/http://m.utsandiego.com/news/2010/may/13/fletcher-backs-end-dont-ask-dont-tell-policy/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

That same year, Fletcher opposed AJR 15, the "Uniting American Families Act," that sought to "support the removal of legal barriers to immigration by permanent same-sex partners" <ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Votes|url=http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billVotesClient.xhtml?bill_id=200920100AJR15|access-date=2020-06-07|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref> and "allow gay and lesbian citizens to sponsor their partners for United States citizenship."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Analysis|url=http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billAnalysisClient.xhtml?bill_id=200920100AJR15|access-date=2020-06-07|website=leginfo.legislature.ca.gov}}</ref>

Fletcher was a proponent of implementing a Mandatory Single Sales Factor on out-of-state corporations that conduct business in California but operate outside the state. The legislation, supported by Gov. Jerry Brown, would have closed a loophole in the tax code and used the savings to offer tax incentives to local industries in order to spawn job creation in California.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Yamamura|first1=Kevin|title=Assembly passes Jerry Brown's business tax changes|url=http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/09/v-mobile/3895834_assembly-passes-jerry-browns-business.html|accessdate=July 7, 2014|publisher=Sacramento Bee|date=September 9, 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714131147/http://www.sacbee.com/2011/09/09/v-mobile/3895834_assembly-passes-jerry-browns-business.html|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> Fletcher's vote was instrumental in obtaining a two-thirds majority vote to guarantee the bill's passage in the Assembly during the final meeting of the 2011 legislative session. The bill, however, failed in the California State Senate.

Other notable legislation that Fletcher supported include the Corporate Tax and Middle-Class Scholarship Fund, Assembly Bill 877 Prohibiting Discrimination Against Transgendered Individuals, and the Foreclosure Reduction Act.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nathan Fletcher Voting Record|url=http://votesmart.org/candidate/key-votes/104432/nathan-fletcher/?p=1#.U7saiJSwLEc|website=votesmart.org/|accessdate=July 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=First-in-the-Nation Legislative Package Will Make Foreclosure Process Fairer, Hold Banks Accountable|url=http://www.responsiblelending.org/media-center/press-releases/archives/California-Legislature-Sends-Homeowner-Bill-of-Rights-to-Governor.html|website=responsiblelending.org|publisher=Center for Responsible Lending|accessdate=July 7, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223631/http://www.responsiblelending.org/media-center/press-releases/archives/California-Legislature-Sends-Homeowner-Bill-of-Rights-to-Governor.html|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

In 2012, Fletcher helped prevent a janitor's strike in San Diego by calling CEOs on behalf of workers to advocate for expanding health care coverage.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Kuhney|first1=Jen|title=Fletcher quietly worked to avert janitors strike|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/Jun/18/fletcher-quietly-worked-avert-janitors-strike/|accessdate=July 8, 2014|publisher=San Diego Union-Tribune|date=June 18, 2012}}</ref>

===San Diego mayoral election=== {{main|2012 San Diego mayoral election|2013–2014 San Diego mayoral special election}} In June 2011, Fletcher announced his candidacy for the mayorship of San Diego.<ref name = "announce">{{ cite news | url = http://www.10news.com/news/28145236/detail.html | title = Assemblyman Fletcher Enters San Diego Mayoral Race | publisher = Scripps TV Station Group | date = June 6, 2011 | accessdate = April 1, 2012 }}</ref> Fletcher started the race as a registered Republican. However, a few weeks after the local Republican Party endorsed his opponent Carl DeMaio, Fletcher announced he was leaving the Republican Party to become an independent.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Orr|first1=Katie|last2=Trageser|first2=Claire|last3=Schoolov|first3=Katie|title=Nathan Fletcher Announces He's Leaving The Republican Party|url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2012/mar/28/nathan-fletcher-announces-hes-leaving-republican-p/|accessdate=March 5, 2017|work=KPBS Public Media|date=March 28, 2017|language=en}}</ref> Fletcher ultimately came in third in the June 2012 primary and did not advance to the general election.<ref name = "primary">{{cite web|url=http://www.co.san-diego.ca.us/voters/Eng/archive/201206bull.pdf|title=County of San Diego Presidential Primary Election, June 5, 2012|work=San Diego County Registrar of Voters|accessdate=November 19, 2012}}</ref>

On August 20, 2013, Fletcher, now a Democrat, 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/Aug/23/nathan-fletcher-declares-run-for-mayor/|title=Fletcher declares intent to run for mayor|last=Gustafson|first=Craig|date=August 23, 2013|work=San Diego Union Tribune|accessdate=November 3, 2013}}</ref> Fletcher was endorsed by California Governor Jerry Brown and Attorney General Kamala Harris.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/sdut-attorney-general-kamala-harris-fletcher-mayor-2013oct29-story.html|title=Cal Atty Gen backs Fletcher for mayor|last=Weisberg|first=Lori|date=October 29, 2013|work=San Diego Union Tribune|accessdate=November 3, 2013}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.10news.com/news/special-election-2013-san-diego-mayor-race-results-11192013|title=San Diego mayor race: Alvarez, Faulconer expected to meet in runoff|date=November 19, 2013|work=ABC 10 News|accessdate=November 20, 2013}}</ref> On November 20, he conceded and endorsed fellow Democrat David Alvarez.

===Change of political parties=== Fletcher departed from the Republican Party midway through his first mayoral campaign.<ref name=":1" /> He has said this was due to extreme partisan politics and to the party's shift away from his core values, not due to the local Republican Party endorsing his opponent.<ref name=":1">{{cite news|last1=Morrison|first1=Pat|title=Nathan Fletcher, San Diego's renegade ex-Republican|url=https://www.latimes.com/opinion/la-xpm-2012-apr-28-la-oe-morrison-fletcher-independent-republican-20120428-story.html|access-date=July 7, 2014|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=April 28, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2012-apr-02-la-me-cap-fletcher-20120402-story.html|title=California GOP loses an up-and-comer in Nathan Fletcher – Los Angeles Times|last=Skelton|first=George|date=April 2, 2012|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=November 19, 2012}}</ref> On May 4, 2013, Fletcher announced on his Facebook page that he was joining the Democratic Party.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fletcher|first=Nathan|title=Facebook Post on Joining Democratic Party|url=https://www.facebook.com/nathan.fletcher/posts/516911088366614|work=Social Media Essay|accessdate=May 4, 2013}}</ref> Fletcher was widely embraced by Democratic leaders, many of whom had been courting him for years to join the party.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.10news.com/news/politics/former-assemblyman-san-diego-mayoral-candidate-nathan-fletcher-joining-democratic-party-05042013|title=Former assemblyman, San Diego mayoral candidate Nathan Fletcher joining Democratic Party|date=May 4, 2013|work=ABC 10 News|accessdate=November 3, 2013}}</ref>

===San Diego County supervisor=== In 2018 Fletcher ran for an open seat representing District 4 on the San Diego County Board of Supervisors. There were five candidates in the June primary, with the top two advancing to the November general election.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/commentary/sd-utbg-nathan-fletcher-interview-20180404-story.html|title=San Diego County Board of Supervisors candidate Nathan Fletcher: The Union-Tribune interview|date=April 6, 2018|work=San Diego Union Tribune|accessdate=May 13, 2018}}</ref> Fletcher was the first-place finisher and former District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis placed second. He was the Democratic candidate for the seat and Dumanis was the Republican, though the election was officially nonpartisan. During the campaign Fletcher touted various endorsements including now President Joe Biden,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jennewein |first1=Chris |url=https://timesofsandiego.com/politics/2018/05/25/nathan-fletcher-gets-rare-endorsement-by-former-vice-president-joe-biden/ |title=Nathan Fletcher Gets Rare Endorsement by Former Vice President Joe Biden|date=May 25, 2018|access-date=August 8, 2021|website=Times of San Diego}}</ref> former Governor Jerry Brown, then-Lieutenant Governor Gavin Newsom, the Sierra Club, labor unions, and the San Diego Democratic Party. Fletcher was also endorsed by the ''San Diego Union-Tribune'', stating "We think the county needs a wake-up call, and Fletcher is far more likely to jolt it out of complacency."<ref>{{cite web |title=Endorsement: Nathan Fletcher for San Diego County supervisor |url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/opinion/editorials/sd-fletcher-for-county-supervisor-20181004-story.html |website=San Diego Union Tribune|date=October 4, 2018 }}</ref> Fletcher won the general election, defeating Dumanis 67.37% to 32.63%.<ref>{{cite web |title=San Diego County Board of Supervisors General Election Results |url=https://data.inewsource.org/interactives/san-diego-county-board-supervisors-general-election-results-2018/ |website=inewsource |access-date=March 31, 2019 |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331031824/https://data.inewsource.org/interactives/san-diego-county-board-supervisors-general-election-results-2018/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Fletcher was appointed to the California Air Resources Board by Governor Newsom on January 28, 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=Governor Newsom Announces Appointment to California Air Resources Board |url=https://www.gov.ca.gov/2019/01/28/carb-appointment/ |website=GOV.CA.GOV|date=January 29, 2019 }}</ref>

Fletcher was unanimously elected as Chair of the San Diego County Board of Supervisors on January 5, 2021.<ref name="Chair" /> He successfully ran for reelection in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-05-19 |title=2 challengers face Fletcher in Board of Supervisors District 4 race |url=https://fox5sandiego.com/news/politics/2-challengers-face-fletcher-in-board-of-supervisors-district-4-race/ |access-date=2022-05-28 |website=FOX 5 San Diego |language=en-US}}</ref>

He also served as the board chair of the San Diego Metropolitan Transit System (MTS). In that capacity, he has voiced support for the extension of the San Diego Trolley to San Diego International Airport.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-17|title=Trolley Extension To San Diego Airport Is Feasible: MTS Study|url=https://patch.com/california/san-diego/trolley-extension-san-diego-airport-feasible-mts-study|access-date=2021-12-17|website=San Diego, CA Patch|language=en}}</ref> He resigned as chair on March 28, 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.kusi.com/nathan-fletcher-admits-to-cheating-on-wife-now-being-sued-for-harassment-and-retaliation/|title=Nathan Fletcher admits to cheating on wife, now being sued for sexual harassment and retaliation|date=March 29, 2023|work=KUSI|access-date=29 March 2023}}</ref>

On February 6, 2023, he announced his candidacy for state senate. On March 26 he announced that he was "quitting his campaign for state Senate to focus on his fight with PTSD, trauma, and alcohol abuse".<ref name="Summerville"/>

Fletcher was also sued in March 2023 by a former MTS employee who claimed that he had sexually assaulted and harassed her, including by forcibly kissing and fondling her, and that she was then fired after resisting his advances.<ref name="Fletcher Resigns as MTS Chair"/> Fletcher admitted to "consensual interactions" with her and apologized for violating "the basic trust and loyalty of my marriage," but denied any use of force.<ref name="NBC 7 San Diego"/> Hours after the news of the lawsuit broke, he announced his resignation from the Board of Supervisors, effective at the end of his medical leave.<ref name="resignationtweet" /> He officially resigned on May 15, 2023.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/i-failed-embattled-county-supervisor-fletcher-issues-resignation-letter-amid-scandal/3227966/|title='I Failed': County Supervisor Fletcher Issues Resignation Letter Amid Scandal|last=Page|first=Eric S.|date=May 15, 2023|work=NBC San Diego|access-date=16 May 2023}}</ref> The Board of Supervisors decided to hold a special election on August 15 to replace him.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/story/2023-05-02/county-to-hold-special-election-to-replace-supervisor-nathan-fletcher|title=Voters will choose new supervisor to replace Nathan Fletcher in special election this fall|last=Brennan|first=Deborah Sullivan|date=May 2, 2023|work=San Diego Union Tribune|access-date=4 May 2023}}</ref> On August 2, 2025, almost two and a half years since the lawsuit was filed against Fletcher, Judge Matthew Braner dismissed the case against MTS brought by Figueroa, then a week later, Braner dismissed with prejudice Figueroa's case against Fletcher.<ref>https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/judge-dismisses-nathan-fletcher-sexual-harassment-lawsuit/3883991/</ref>

==Non-political activities==

===Business=== Following the end of his legislative term on December 2, 2012, Fletcher became a senior director of corporate development at Qualcomm. He said in a statement that his position would include developing global strategies for wireless health initiatives, mobile education, and the protection of intellectual property, but will not involve lobbying or government relations.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Fletchers-New-Job-to-Join-Qualcomm-179529361.html|title=Fletcher's New Job: Qualcomm|last=Steussy|first=Lauren|date=November 15, 2012|work=NBC 7 San Diego|accessdate=November 19, 2012}}</ref> His title was later changed to Global Strategic Initiatives, and in 2017, he announced he was leaving Qualcomm to dedicate more time to UCSD and community issues.

Fletcher also served as a television commentator for Fox 5 San Diego<ref>http://fox5sandiego.com/nathan-fletchers-notes/ {{Bare URL inline|date=August 2025}}</ref> and paid contributor to San Diego Magazine.<ref>{{cite web|last=Fletcher|first=Nathan|title=Our Modern-Day Crisis|url=http://www.sandiegomagazine.com/San-Diego-Magazine/March-2013/Our-Modern-Day-Crisis/|magazine=San Diego Magazine|accessdate=February 15, 2013}}</ref>

===Education=== In January 2013, Fletcher was appointed as the first professor of practice (officially an adjunct professor) at the University of California, San Diego.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ucsd.edu/directory/search?last=Fletcher&first=Nathan&email=&title=&phone=&fax=&dept2=&mail=&searchType=4|title=Faculty/Staff Directory: Fletcher, Nathan|work=UCSD|accessdate=April 14, 2015}}</ref> He teaches classes in the department of political science, as well as mentoring and advising students and helping to develop public policy projects. Professor of Practice was a new, privately funded position at the university intended to "provide students with a deeper understanding of the practical application of a particular field of study and help promote the integration of academic scholarship with practical experience from applications professionals."<ref name="Guardian">{{cite web|url=http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/feature/nathan_fletcher_named_first_professor_of_practice_at_uc_san_diego|title=Nathan Fletcher Named First 'Professor of Practice' at UC San Diego|last=Guardian|first=UCSD|accessdate=January 24, 2013}}</ref>

In 2013, an investigative report by the ''San Diego Union Tribune'' noted that, unlike the other candidates for mayor, Fletcher did not make his college transcripts public, nor provide them to UCSD before his hiring. The university said it did not ask for his transcript and did not need it for the appointment as a professor of practice.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/watchdog/sdut-nathan-fletcher-college-transcript-ucsd-2013nov16-story.html|title=UCSD didn't get Fletcher transcript either|date=November 16, 2013|work=San Diego Union Tribune|accessdate=August 20, 2018}}</ref>

===Political and community activities=== thumb|Nathan Fletcher met with President Obama, representing the Truman National Security Project, to discuss and support the 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal. Fletcher remains politically active, by supporting Democratic candidates and progressive causes. He is a member of the national advisory board of Organizing for Action, the successor organization of President Barack Obama's 2012 re-election campaign.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.barackobama.com/advisoryboard/ |title=Organizing for Action |access-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403054609/https://www.barackobama.com/advisoryboard/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He is a member of the Statewide Leadership Council of the Public Policy Institute of California,<ref>{{Cite web|title=Statewide Leadership Council|url=https://www.ppic.org/about-ppic/statewide-leadership-council/|access-date=2021-08-30|website=Public Policy Institute of California|language=en-US}}</ref> and a member of the Aspen Institute Global Alliances Program Advisory Board.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/global-alliances/gap-advisory-board |title=Aspen Institute Advisory Board |access-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403080522/http://www.aspeninstitute.org/policy-work/global-alliances/gap-advisory-board |url-status=dead }}</ref> He is also a member of the National Advisory Board of the Truman National Security Project.<ref>[http://trumanproject.org/about/people/board-of-advisors Truman Project board of advisors]</ref> He is a delegate of the California Democratic Party, member of San Diego Democratic Central Committee, was a 2016 delegate to the Democratic National Committee, and has been active in supporting Democratic candidates and causes such as efforts to raise the minimum wage. He also remains involved in efforts to ensure implementation of Chelsea's Law. He is a member of the World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Human Rights,.<ref name="weforum.org">[http://www.weforum.org/content/global-agenda-council-human-rights-2014-2016-0 World Economic Forum Global Agenda Council on Human Rights]</ref> He is a Kauffman Fellow and Tribeca Innovative Disruptive Fellow.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.tribecadisruptiveinnovationawards.com/nathan-fletcher/ |title=Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards |access-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-date=April 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150403022421/http://www.tribecadisruptiveinnovationawards.com/nathan-fletcher/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On March 13, 2013, Fletcher brought together law enforcement, community, business, labor, and faith-based leaders to form San Diegans United for Common Sense Immigration Reform.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Cavanaugh|first1=Maureen|title=San Diego Leaders Tackle Immigration Reform|url=http://www.kpbs.org/news/2013/mar/13/immigration-reform-san-diego/|accessdate=July 8, 2014|publisher=KPBS|date=March 13, 2013}}</ref> The coalition came to an agreement to advocate for a pathway to citizenship, reform to the immigrant visa system, smart border security, and basic human rights.<ref>{{cite web|title=San Diegans United for Commonsense Immigration Reform|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWMi2R0z-Uo |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/VWMi2R0z-Uo |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|website=www.youtube.com| date=March 13, 2013 |publisher=KPBS San Diego}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

Fletcher has served on the board of directors for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Historical Society,<ref>{{ cite web | title = Society SitRep | date = July 2010 | publisher = Marine Corps Recruit Depot Historical Society | location = San Diego, CA | url = http://www.mcrdmuseumhistoricalsociety.org/newsletter-july-2010 | archive-url = https://archive.today/20120603233915/http://www.mcrdmuseumhistoricalsociety.org/newsletter-july-2010 | url-status = usurped | archive-date = June 3, 2012 | accessdate = April 1, 2012 }}</ref> a member of the American Legion, life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars, member of the board of directors of the San Diego Opera, Executive Committee of CONNECT, Community Advisory Council for Voices for Children, and the San Diego Regional Advisory Council of the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund.

==Personal life== Fletcher is an Ironman Triathlete, marathon runner, alpine mountaineer, and mountain biker.<ref name=short_bio>{{cite news | title = Nathan Fletcher: a short bio | date = August 7, 2011 | newspaper = San Diego Union Tribune | url = http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2011/aug/07/asdfasdfsadf/ | accessdate = April 1, 2011 }}</ref> In 2003, he married Mindy Tucker, who had served as campaign manager and deputy chief of staff for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.<ref>{{cite news | newspaper = Sacramento Bee | title = Chamber turns on the charm | date = February 12, 2006 | page = D1 | url = http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SB&p_theme=sb&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=10FC05F52B247EA0&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM }}</ref> The couple has two adopted children. They separated on December 1, 2014, and filed for divorce in January 2015. In an NBC story they issued a joint statement, "We have made the best decision for our family. It is an amicable divorce, and we remain good friends. Our first priority is our children, and we hope that everyone will respect our privacy as we make this transition."<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Former-State-Assemblyman-Nathan-Fletcher-Files-for-Divorce-294752171.html | title=Former State Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher Files for Divorce| last=Krueger | first=Paul | date=March 2, 2015 | work=NBC San Diego | accessdate=March 6, 2015}}</ref> In September 2015, Fletcher revealed that he had been dating Lorena Gonzalez, who served in the California State Assembly representing California's 80th District.<ref>{{Cite web|title = 2 Local Pols Confirm Romance Rumors| date=September 17, 2015 |url = http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/politics/2-Local-Pols-Confirm-Romance-Rumors-Lorena-Gonzalez-Nathan-Fletcher-328050281.html|accessdate = September 28, 2015}}</ref> They were married January 1, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Essential Politics: Archived stories from December 2016|url=https://www.latimes.com/politics/essential/la-pol-ca-essential-politics-updates-201612-htmlstory.html|access-date=2021-08-30|website=Los Angeles Times|date=January 3, 2017 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In December 2018, Fletcher publicly acknowledged his 19-year-old son. Fletcher told the ''Voice of San Diego'' news site, "My 19-year-old son just came into our life, and it is wonderful."<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-02-02|title=Politics Report: The Newest Member of the Fletcher-Gonzalez Bunch|url=https://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/politics/politics-report-the-newest-member-of-the-fletcher-gonzalez-bunch/|access-date=2021-08-30|website=Voice of San Diego|language=en-US}}</ref>

At 4:00 AM on January 15, 2022, a "suspicious" fire broke out on the front of the couple's home. The family was awakened by smoke alarms and was able to leave the house through a side door. No one was injured, but the fire caused an estimated $36,000 in damage.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/nathan-fletcher-lorena-gonzalez-and-family-escape-fire-at-san-diego-home/2836915/|title=San Diego Police Call Fire at Fletcher and Gonzalez Home 'Suspicious'|date=January 12, 2022|work=NBC San Diego|access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref> A San Diego police investigation concluded that the fire was deliberately set and offered a $1,000 reward for help in identifying the arsonist.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/fire-damaged-home-california-politicians-was-arson-authorities-conclud-rcna14041|title=Fire that damaged home of California politicians was arson, authorities conclude|last1=Romero|first1=Dennis|last2=Feather|first2=Bill|date=January 28, 2022|work=NBC News|access-date=31 January 2022}}</ref>

==Electoral History== ===California State Assembly=== ====2008==== {{Election box begin no change | title = 2008 California State Assembly District 75 general election}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = '''Nathan Fletcher''' | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 98,758 | percentage = 52.2 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Daren Kasai | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 78,970 | percentage = 41.7 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = John Murphy | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | votes = 11,731 | percentage = 6.2 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 189,459 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box end}}

====2010==== {{Election box begin no change | title = 2010 California State Assembly District 75 general election}} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = '''Nathan Fletcher''' (incumbent) | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 92,430 | percentage = 60.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Paul R. Garver | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 54,711 | percentage = 35.8 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Christopher Chadwick | party = Libertarian Party (United States) | votes = 5,692 | percentage = 3.7 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 152,833 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box end}}

===Mayor of San Diego===

====2012==== {{Election box begin no change | title = San Diego Mayoral Primary election, 2012<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/voters/results/transform.htm?paramVal1=city_diego.xsl|title = San Diego Registrar}}</ref><ref name=results>{{cite web|title=Election History - Mayor of San Diego|url=http://www.sandiego.gov/city-clerk/pdf/mayorresults.pdf|publisher=City of San Diego|access-date=23 December 2012}}</ref> }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Carl DeMaio | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 73,508 | percentage = 31.4 }} {{Election box winning candidate with party link no change | candidate = Bob Filner | party = Democratic Party (United States) | votes = 73,216 | percentage = 30.5 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Nathan Fletcher | party = Independent (politician) | votes = 57,939 | percentage = 24.1 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Bonnie Dumanis | party = Republican Party (United States) | votes = 31,926 | percentage = 13.3 }} {{Election box candidate with party link no change | candidate = Tobiah Pettus<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.smartvoter.org/2012/06/05/ca/sd/vote/pettus_t/ |title=Tobiah L. Pettus |author= |date=8 April 2012 |work=Smartvoter.org |publisher=League of Women Voters of California Education Fund |access-date=23 April 2013}}</ref> | party = Nonpartisan politician | votes = 1,709 | percentage = 0.7 }} {{Election box write-in with party link no change | votes = 752 | percentage = 0.3 }} {{Election box total no change | votes = 241,050 | percentage= 100 }} {{Election box end}}

===San Diego County Board of Supervisors=== ====2018==== {{Election box begin no party no change | title = 2018 San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 4 primary election}} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = '''Nathan Fletcher''' | votes = 36,513 | percentage = 29.2 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Bonnie Dumanis | votes = 32,554 | percentage = 26.1 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Lori Saldaña | votes = 27,038 | percentage = 21.6 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Omar Passons | votes = 23,557 | percentage = 18.9 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Ken Malbrough | votes = 5,267 | percentage = 4.2 }} {{Election box total no party no change | votes = 124,929 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box end}}

{{Election box begin no party no change | title = 2018 San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 4 general election}} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = '''Nathan Fletcher''' | votes = 142,785 | percentage = 67.4 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Bonnie Dumanis | votes = 69,145 | percentage = 32.6 }} {{Election box total no party no change | votes = 211,930 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box end}}

====2022==== {{Election box begin no party no change | title = 2022 San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 4 primary election}} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = '''Nathan Fletcher''' (incumbent) | votes = 76,032 | percentage = 62.1 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Amy Reichert | votes = 35,349 | percentage = 28.9 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Sidiqa A. Hooker | votes = 10,988 | percentage = 9.0 }} {{Election box total no party no change | votes = 122,369 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box end}} {{Election box begin no party no change | title = 2022 San Diego County Board of Supervisors District 4 general election}} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = '''Nathan Fletcher''' (incumbent) | votes = 118,114 | percentage = 64.6 }} {{Election box candidate no party no change | candidate = Amy Reichert | votes = 64,605 | percentage = 35.4 }} {{Election box total no party no change | votes = 182,719 | percentage = 100 }} {{Election box end}}

==References== {{Reflist|30em}}

==External links== *[http://www.nathanfletcher.com Official Campaign website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080723213042/http://www.nathanfletcher.com/ |date=July 23, 2008 }} *[http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/13171 Join California Nathan Fletcher]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fletcher, Nathan}} Category:Living people Category:1976 births Category:Arkansas Democrats Category:Arkansas independents Category:Arkansas Republicans Category:Baptists from Arkansas Category:Businesspeople from San Diego Category:California Baptist University alumni Category:California Democrats Category:California independents Category:California Republicans Category:Members of the California State Assembly Category:Nevada Democrats Category:Nevada independents Category:Nevada Republicans Category:People from Smackover, Arkansas Category:Politicians from Carson City, Nevada Category:Politicians from San Diego Category:Qualcomm people Category:San Diego County Board of Supervisors members Category:United States Marine Corps personnel of the Iraq War Category:United States Marine Corps reservists Category:United States Marines Category:University of California, San Diego faculty Category:21st-century members of the California State Legislature