Ernie Fletcher

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

Early years and political rise

Ernie Fletcher graduated in 1970 LaFayette High School in Lexington; a lasting until 1974, studying at the University of Kentucky joined them. The years 1974-1979 he spent in the U.S. Air Force. This was followed by a medical degree and medical license. For two years he was head of the Saint Joseph Medical Foundation and twelve years, he practiced as a family physician in Lexington.

Since 1995, Fletcher was a deputy in the House of Representatives from Kentucky. There he was in the committee to combat poverty and in the Committee for the Improvement of educational opportunities. He also advised the Governor on matters of health care. In 1999 he was elected to the House of Representatives of the United States, where he worked on several committees. He remained in Congress until his election as Governor of Kentucky in 2003.

Governor of Kentucky

In the gubernatorial election in November 2003, he defeated his Democratic opponent Ben Chandler with 55 % of votes. He thus became the first Republican Governor of Kentucky since 1971. Fletcher had to fight since he took office ride with bad poll numbers that resulted from the fact that on the one hand exclaimed one perceived as arbitrary special election, as a popular democratic state senator died suddenly, on the other hand, an excessive amount of used state funds for the renovation of the Governor's seat. Much of the controversy resulted in the reduction of health care for state employees. Even his own brother took part in the protests directed against Fletcher. In November 2004, calls were loud, Ernie Fletcher to withdraw his license to practice medicine, he had been a death warrant. On the other hand, Fletcher had streamlined the management and created new jobs in Kentucky. The consent of the people for his policies increased again sharply when he pardoned members of his government who had violate any applicable laws. He himself has been accused of some offense, but could not be proved against him.

In the 2007 elections, he could not prevail against the Democrats Steve Beshear, due to its popularity sunk even further. Therefore, he had to leave office on December 11, 2007. He is married to Merry Glenna Foster and has two children and four grandchildren.