San Diego County Supervisor Nathan Fletcher announced March 26 he will check into a rehabilitation center this week for alcohol abuse, trauma, and post-traumatic stress.
Fletcher will forgo his campaign for state senate, which he launched Feb. 6, to focus on his health.
“For many years, I’ve been suffering from devastating post-traumatic stress associated with combat piled on top of intense childhood trauma that’s been exacerbated by alcohol abuse. While I’ve shared some of these challenges publicly, they run much deeper than I’ve acknowledged.” Fletcher wrote on Twitter March 26.
The former marine also said he is optimistic for his recovery and that he is focusing on what he needs to do right now for his health and family.
His wife, Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher, wrote on social media, “I love my husband and appreciate his willingness to put our family first.”
While Fletcher will be on medical leave, his staff will continue to serve District 4 constituents, according to his office. His current term ends in January 2027.
He served on active duty in the Marine Corps from 2002 to 2007, with tours in Iraq, the Near East, and the Horn of Africa.
“He was decorated for valor under enemy fire and has been an advocate for military veterans ever since founding a veterans foundation to help those struggling with [post traumatic stress] and successfully overturning unjust deportations of immigrant servicemembers,” according to his website.
Fletcher was first elected to the county board of supervisors in 2019 and reelected in 2022.
Prior to that, he served as state Assemblyman in 2008 and was re-elected in 2010 for a second two-year term.
His wife, Lorena, served in California’s 80th state Assembly District from 2013 to 2022.
