Spirit of the Fourth

Nathan Fletcher is the State Assemblyman representing California’s 75th District. He is the first combat veteran of the Global War on Terror to serve in the California State Legislature. Assemblyman Fletcher serves as the Vice Chair of the Assembly Health Committee, the Select Committee on Biotechnology, and the Select Committee on Rail Transportation. He is a member of the Accountability & Administrative Review, Water, Parks, & Wildlife, and Housing & Community Development Committees. Additionally, he sits on the Select Committees on Foster Care, Child/Adolescent Health and Safety, Healthcare Workforce Access, and Safety and Protection of At-Risk California Communities.

In each of these legislative facets, the Assemblyman is committed to demanding transparency and accountability from government, creating new jobs in California, expanding the access and affordability of health care and working to solve the water crisis affecting the Golden State.

In his first few months in office Assemblyman Fletcher was instrumental in passing a major tax code revision that will help create jobs and was a joint author of Assembly Bill 23 which will help employees laid off from small businesses retain their private health insurance.

Fletcher was elected in 2008 and represents the city of San Diego communities of La Jolla, University City, Mira Mesa, Scripps Ranch, Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, and Fairbanks Ranch, along with the City of Poway, portions of the City of Escondido, the community of Fairbanks Ranch and portions of Rancho Santa Fe.

Driven to serve, Nathan’s passion has always been public service. Before being elected to the legislature he served in the military, in the community, and in the political arena.

In 2007, Assemblyman Fletcher completed his service in the United States Marine Corps Reserves where he served as a Counterintelligence/Human Intelligence Specialist. On his last deployment, Nathan worked in the Horn of Africa region traveling throughout Eastern Africa and the Near East. For his service he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal and Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal.

In 2004, Nathan served eight months in the Sunni Triangle region of Iraq. Among the awards he received from this tour of duty are the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal with Combat “V” for valor, the Combat Action Ribbon, and the Iraqi Campaign Medal. Fletcher is a recipient of additional military awards including the Benton R. Montgomery Award for Excellence and the Walter Morris Honor Graduate Award. Nathan is a graduate of many military training schools including the US Army Airborne Course and Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center.

In addition to his military service, Nathan has been a tireless advocate for America’s veterans and is a life member of both the American Legion and Veterans of Foreign War. Before being elected to the state legislature Nathan served as an appointed member of the San Diego County Veterans Advisory Council, where he provided a strong voice for veterans of the Global War on Terror. Assemblyman Fletcher also served on the Board of Directors for the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Historical Society.

Beyond his commitment to Veterans’ causes, Nathan is active in the community. He currently serves on the board of directors for Her Heart’s Wish, a nonprofit that helps match terminally ill women with their final wishes. He is also a member of the Nice Guys, a San Diego charitable organization that has provided millions of dollars to worthy causes, and the Lincoln Club of San Diego County. He previously served on the boards of directors of the YMCA Summer Camp.

In addition to being politically active in California and nationally, Nathan is a champion for the democratic process and has spent time abroad working with philanthropic non-governmental organizations to build and improve democracies in East Timor, Cambodia and Serbia.

Nathan is an Ironman Triathlete, marathon runner, and avid outdoorsman who enjoys surfing, alpine mountaineering, and mountain biking. He is a graduate of California Baptist University, where he was a Presidential Merit Scholar and member of the CBU baseball team.

Fletcher lives in San Diego with his wife, Mindy, who recently served as Deputy Campaign Manager and Deputy Chief of Staff for Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Nathan and Mindy are members of Community Bible Church and proud parents of their son Zach.