Oops: Gavin Newsom Features Alleged Sex Pest in Ad

Nathan Fletcher, a San Diego County supervisor and member of the Democratic party, recently resigned over sexual assault allegations by two women. However, California governor Gavin Newsom featured Fletcher in a campaign video to announce the multimillion-dollar Campaign for Democracy PAC. This PAC, launched from Newsom’s gubernatorial campaign, plans to fight “extremist Republicans” who are “attacking the very foundations of our free society” and “denying women equality”.

In the video, Fletcher is seen marching just behind Newsom after the governor’s January inauguration. Newsom has yet to comment on the allegations against Fletcher, whose career in California Democratic circles came to an abrupt end in late March.

On March 26, Fletcher left his State Senate race and checked into rehab for PTSD and alcohol issues. Three days later, a woman accused Fletcher of sexually assaulting her when she interned for him as a 19-year-old. On the same day, a second woman accused him in a lawsuit of kissing, groping her without her consent, and stalking her on social media. She also accused Fletcher’s wife, a union leader, of threatening her not to file a complaint against him and making a mockery of her if she did.

Nathan Fletcher and Newsom have a longstanding personal history as documented on social media. In a January 6 tweet, Fletcher confirmed marching behind Newsom across the Tower Bridge in Old Sacramento during the governor’s second inauguration.

Newsom has billed himself as a proud supporter of women and the #MeToo movement. However, Newsom himself has a sordid history with women. In 2007, while he was Mayor of San Francisco, Newsom held a press conference confirming reports of an affair with the wife of his close friend and campaign manager, Alex Tourk.

Newsom’s campaign and the Campaign for Democracy PAC have not commented on Fletcher’s allegations.