Nathan Fletcher’s abrupt resignation from the San Diego County Board of Supervisors makes him just the latest chapter in the long history of sex scandals involving Democrats.
Fletcher is among a pantheon of Democratic politicians on the local and national stage -whose once-promising political careers were scuttled by sexual misconduct allegations or matters related to sex. As far as in San Diego, where Fletcher is from, the list is not only long; it spans decades.
In 2005, Michael Zucchet and Ralph Inzunza — two up-and-coming Democrats on the San Diego City Council — were convicted of taking illegal campaign cash from a strip club owner who wanted the city to lift a ban on touching between nude dancers and patrons. Inzunza went to prison. Zucchet’s conviction was overturned.
Ten years ago, in 2013, Democrat Bob Filner’s nine-month tenure as San Diego’s mayor was sunk after 13 women accused him of making unwanted sexual advances.
In 2016, Supervisor Dave Roberts, who was the lone Democrat on the board, lost his re-election bid following a slew of allegations that included an inappropriate relationship with an office aide.
Last year, a man accused Will Rodriguez-Kennedy, the then head of the San Diego County Democratic Party, of sexual assault.
Then, it was earlier this month when the 46-year-old Fletcher shocked the local political world by announcing he was dropping out of a state senate race in which he was the favorite because he was “seeking help for PTSD, trauma and alcohol abuse.”
But that was just the first shoe to drop. Three days later, a former Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) spokesperson filed a lawsuit alleging that Fletcher sexually harassed and assaulted her. A day after that came the announcement that he was resigning his seat on the County Board of Supervisors, effective May 15.
These scandals have not only been personally ruinous for those involved, they have short-circuited eras when Democrats seem poised to dominate local politics.
Relegated to old news (4/15) – TP
