Ernie Fletcher

Ernie Fletcher

Ernest Lee "Ernie" Fletcher (* 12. November 1952 in Mount Sterling , Montgomery County , Kentucky ) is an American politician of the Republican Party . He was governor of the US state of Kentucky from 2003 to 2007 .

Early years and political advancement

Ernie Fletcher graduated from LaFayette High School in Lexington in 1970 ; a study at the University of Kentucky that lasted until 1974 followed. He spent the years between 1974 and 1979 in the US Air Force . This was followed by medical studies and admission as a doctor. He was director of the Saint Joseph Medical Foundation for two years and practiced as a general practitioner in Lexington for twelve years.

Since 1995, Fletcher has served as an MP in the Kentucky House of Representatives . There he was on the Committee on Combating Poverty and on the Committee on Improving Education. He also advised the governor on health issues. In 1999 he was elected to the United States House of Representatives and served on several committees. He remained in Congress until his election as governor of Kentucky in 2003.

Kentucky governor

In the November 2003 gubernatorial election he defeated his Democratic rival Ben Chandler with 55% of the vote. He became the first Republican governor of Kentucky since 1971. Since taking office, Fletcher has had to contend with poor poll numbers, which resulted from the fact that he called a special election, which was perceived as arbitrary, when a popular Democratic senator of the state suddenly died, and on the other hand an excessive amount State money used to renovate the governor's seat. Much of the controversy has resulted in cuts in health care for government employees. Even his own brother took part in the anti-Fletcher protests. In November 2004, calls were made to revoke Ernie Fletcher's license to practice medicine for giving an execution order . On the other hand, Fletcher had streamlined administration and created new jobs in Kentucky. Popular approval of his policies again fell sharply when he pardoned members of his government who had broken the law. He was also accused of some offenses, which could not be proven.

In the elections of 2007, he was unable to prevail against the Democrat Steve Beshear due to his even lower popularity . Therefore, he had to leave office on December 11, 2007. He is married to Merry Glenna Foster and has two children and four grandchildren.

Web links

Commons : Ernie Fletcher  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files

• Ernie Fletcher in the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress (English)
• Ernie Fletcher in the nndb (English)
• Ernie Fletcher in the National Governors Association (English)