:Fabian Núñez

{{Infobox officeholder

| name = Fabian Núñez

| image name = FabianNunez.jpg

| imagesize = 220px

| state_assembly = California

| office = 66th Speaker of the California State Assembly

| term_start = February 9, 2004

| term_end = May 13, 2008

| predecessor = Herb Wesson

| successor = Karen Bass

| state_assembly3 = California

| district3 = 46th

| term_start3 = December 2, 2002

| term_end3 = November 30, 2008

| preceded3 = Gil Cedillo

| succeeded3 = John Pérez

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1966|12|27|mf=y}}

| birth_place = San Diego, California, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| profession = Politician

| alma_mater = Pitzer College (BA)

| party = Democratic

| relatives = Esteban Núñez (son)

}}

Fabian Núñez (also transcribed variously as Fabián Núñez, Fabian Nuñez and Fabian Nunez; born December 27, 1966) is an American politician and labor union adviser. A member of the Democratic Party, he served three two-year terms as a member of the California State Assembly, leaving office in late 2008. During his last two terms, Núñez served as the 66th Speaker of the California State Assembly.

Early life

Fabian Núñez is the tenth of twelve children. He was born in San Diego, California, to Mexican parents, but the family lived in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico until Núñez was 7 years old. He spent the rest of his youth in the Logan Heights neighborhood of San Diego.{{cite web|last1=Sweeney|first1=James|title=Ex-assembly speaker Núñez looks at options for his future|url=http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/politics/20080518-9999-1n18nunez.html|website=UT San Diego}} His parents eventually became United States citizens. At the age of 31, Núñez earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in both political science and education from Pitzer College in Claremont, California.{{cite web|title=Pitzer College|url=http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/pitzer-college-1172|access-date=November 17, 2015|website=U.S. News & World Report}}{{cite web|last1=Bradley|first1=Bill|title=TAKING ON ARNOLD|url=http://www.laweekly.com/news/taking-on-arnold-2140522|access-date=May 6, 2017|website=LAWeekly.com}}

From 1996 to 2000, Fabian Núñez served as the Political Director for the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor and, between 2000 and 2002, was the Government Affairs Director for the Los Angeles Unified School District.{{cite web|last1=Vogel|first1=Nancy|last2=Ingram|first2=Carl|date=November 21, 2003|title=Nunez Attracted to State Politics Early|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2003-nov-21-me-nunez21-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times}}{{cite web|last1=Lawrence|first1=Jill|title=L.A. schools chief Romer refuses to walk away|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/june01/2001-06-14-romer-usat.htm|access-date=May 6, 2017|publisher=USA Today}}

California State Assembly

Núñez was elected to the California State Assembly to represent the 46th district in 2002. Later, on February 9, 2004 he was selected as the Speaker of the California Assembly.{{cite web|last1=Vogel|first1=Nancy|access-date=2020-06-14|title=L.A.'s Nunez Is Formally Chosen Assembly Speaker|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2004-jan-09-me-speaker9-story.html|date=9 January 2004|website=Los Angeles Times}}

When Núñez was elected, the Los Angeles Times reported that he promised to "foster a spirit of bipartisanship in the Assembly ..." He was quoted saying, "We should reestablish this great legislative body as the house of ideas. And more importantly, we must work together for the benefit of all Californians." During his tenure as speaker, the San Francisco Chronicle editorialized that the 2005/2006 "legislative session represented one of the most productive in recent memory."[https://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/Gov-Schwarzenegger-to-stay-the-course-2467977.php "Gov. Schwarzenegger to stay the course"], San Francisco Chronicle, October 18, 2006.

Throughout his term, Núñez authored several laws including a $1.25 increase in the minimum wage,[https://archive.today/20120707095510/http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-09-13/bay-area/17312640_1_minimum-wage-automatic-increases-assemblywoman-sally-lieber Minimum wage hike is now law/Governor signs bill -- Núñez at his side], San Francisco Chronicle, September 13, 2006. and a measure to promote competition among cable television providers.{{cite web|last1=Lifsher|first1=Marc|last2=Granelli|first2=James S.|title=Cities May Lose Hold on Cable|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jun-28-fi-tvbyphone28-story.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=June 28, 2006}}

In August 2005, Núñez traveled to Mexico to meet with then-president of Mexico, Vicente Fox, other high level government officials, and business leaders. The declared purpose of his journey was to strengthen ties between Mexico and California that he claimed had deteriorated under California's governor, Arnold Schwarzenegger.{{cite web|url=http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/13473591p-14314397c.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20080210182018/http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/13473591p-14314397c.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 10, 2008|title=Politics – Núñez meets with Mexico's president|website=sacbee.com|access-date=May 6, 2017}}{{cite web|last1=Mendel|first1=Ed|title=Speaker hopes to help image of Schwarzenegger|url=http://legacy.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/mexico/20050824-9999-1n24nunez.html|website=sandiegouniontribune.com|access-date=May 6, 2017}} At Núñez's invitation, president Fox eventually traveled to Sacramento and addressed a special joint session of the California State Legislature.[http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20050826/news_1n26nunez.html In Mexico, Núñez is forced to explain border comments], The San Diego Union-Tribune; accessed May 6, 2017.

Núñez supported and advocated for the passage of the 2006 infrastructure bonds. He authored both the education (Proposition 1B) and water levee bond (Proposition 1D) in the Legislature. Former Assembly Speaker Bob Hertzberg spoke about Núñez' involvement with the passage of the bonds on May 17, 2006: "And ultimately credit goes to Speaker Fabian Núñez, who is a very keen legislator who understands how to put the pieces and parts together and see the big picture. He was instrumental in taking what was failure last time and putting it all together this time. Fabian is willing to work with all sides and wants to get things done."[http://www.planningreport.com/2006/05/17/hertzberg-state-infrastructure-bond-results-consensus-building-need Hertzberg: State Infrastructure Bond Results from Consensus-Building & Need], The Planning Report, May 17, 2006.

Núñez passed a law in 2006 to establish a program to provide prescription drugs at discount prices to about five million uninsured and underinsured Californians. The new law will require the state department of Health Services to negotiate discounts with drug manufacturers.[https://web.archive.org/web/20100422233841/http://articles.sfgate.com/2006-12-29/bay-area/17324334_1_minimum-wage-minimum-wage-prescription-drugs "New laws to change lives at basic level: Many Californians will notice changes as legislators' efforts come to fruition on Monday"], San Francisco Chronicle, December 29, 2006. In 2006, he also authored AB 32, which was signed into law by Schwarzenegger. AB 32 created the nation's first cap on greenhouse gas emissions. The law set new regulations on the amount of emissions utilities, refineries and manufacturing plants are allowed to release into the atmosphere.{{cite web|title=Assembly Bill 32 Overview|url=http://www.arb.ca.gov/cc/ab32/ab32.htm|website=arb.ca.gov|publisher=California Environmental Protection Agency|access-date=May 6, 2017}}

In 2007, Núñez was named "Public Official of the Year" by Governing Magazine. The magazine highlighted his legislative leadership and accomplishments:[http://www.governing.com/poy/Fabian-Nunez.html 2007 Fabian Núñez profile], governing.com; accessed May 6, 2017.

Fabian Núñez doesn't think compromise is a dirty word. California's Assembly speaker has played a classic legislative leadership role as the bridge between Republican governor and a strongly liberal majority Democratic caucus, helping to forge and shepherd through a long list of impressive legislation over the past couple of years.
His personal scorecard includes a $40 billion infrastructure bond package, a $7 billion prison building and rehabilitation measure, and a landmark global-warming law that is already being imitated by other states. "Some people feel you can't compromise because you're setting your values aside," he continues. "I believe the opposite. You're fighting for your beliefs when you can move the ball forward."{{cite web|title=Hon. Fabian Núñez|url=http://www.mercuryllc.com/experts/hon-fabian-nunez|website=mercuryllc.com|access-date=May 6, 2017}}

On October 10, 2007, the Los Angeles Times reported that Núñez had allegedly spent tens of thousands of dollars of campaign money for personal expenses.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-oct-10-me-lopez10-story.html|first=Steve|last=Lopez|title=Mr. Nuñez, who are you wining and dining?|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 10, 2007}} However, October 27, 2009, [https://web.archive.org/web/20120118192450/http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/ Political Blotter] reported that the FPPC had cleared Núñez of all accusations.[http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2009/10/27/fppc-clears-fabian-nunez-of-two-complaints FPPC clears Núñez of two complaints] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130316115814/http://www.ibabuzz.com/politics/2009/10/27/fppc-clears-fabian-nunez-of-two-complaints/ |date=March 16, 2013 }}, ibabuzz.com, October 27, 2009.

Due to term limits, Núñez had to retire from the Assembly after 2008. Starting in fall 2007, he actively campaigned in support of a statewide proposition to amend the term limits law, including being made eligible to serve an additional six years as speaker. This ballot measure, California Proposition 93 (2008), was widely seen as a power grab on the part of Núñez and Senate Majority Leader Don Perata.{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/10/EDI9UB836.DTL|title=A deceptive Prop. 93|publisher=sfgate.com|access-date=May 6, 2017}} On February 5, 2008 election, a majority of California voters rejected Proposition 93.{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/06/MN87UOCI7.DTL&type=politics|title=Voters rejecting Prop. 93 on term limits|website=sfgate.com|access-date=May 6, 2017}} Núñez was succeeded by Karen Bass.

After serving as speaker of the Assembly, Núñez was named as co-chair of the Hillary Clinton 2008 presidential bid.[http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_5754735 Nunez to co- chair Clinton campaign] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130515081621/http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_5754735 |date=May 15, 2013 }} Inside Bay Area, April 26, 2007.{{cite web|last1=Martelle|first1=Scott|title=State Speaker Nunez joins Clinton's campaign|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-apr-26-na-clinton26-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 6, 2017}} He joined a national bipartisan public strategy firm, [http://www.mercurypublicaffairs.com Mercury], as a partner managing the Sacramento and Los Angeles offices.{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurypublicaffairs.com/staff-member/hon-fabian-n%C3%BA%C3%B1ez|title=Honorable Fabian Núñez|access-date=May 6, 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221002411/http://www.mercurypublicaffairs.com/staff-member/hon-fabian-n%C3%BA%C3%B1ez|archive-date=December 21, 2011|df=mdy-all}} Núñez also serves on the [http://www.ussoccer.com/About/Governance/Board-of-Directors.aspx Board of Directors] for the U.S Soccer Federation and previously serviced on the University of California Board of Regents.{{cite web|title=University of California Board of Regents|url=http://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/regmeet/nov05/604attach.pdf|website=University of California|access-date=May 6, 2017}}

In October 2008, Núñez's son Esteban and his friends provoked a fight where Luis Santos was murdered. Esteban admitted to stabbing two other students.{{Cite web|date=2010-06-26|title=Pair gets 16 years in SDSU stabbing|url=https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-nunez-son-to-be-sentenced-for-sd-manslaughter-2010jun25-story.html|access-date=2020-12-05|website=San Diego Union-Tribune|language=en-US}} In May 2010, Esteban entered into a plea agreement in which he pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and was sentenced to 16 years in prison for the death of Santos.{{cite news|author-link1=Christopher Goffard|last=Goffard |first=Christopher |url=http://graphics.latimes.com/nunez-santos-part-2/ |title=On the eve of a murder trial, a deal is struck. But will it stick?|work=Los Angeles Times |date=2014-12-23 |access-date=2016-10-12}}{{cite web|last1=Kucher |first1=Karen |last2=Littlefield |first2=Dana |url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sdut-commutation-nunez-sentence-draws-fire-local-prosec-2011jan03-htmlstory.html |title=Local prosecutors blast cut in Nunez' sentence |date=2011-01-03 |access-date=2017-11-24}}

Núñez was a close friend and key political ally of then governor Arnold Schwarzenegger.

When Esteban Núñez was first arrested, his father used his influence to get him more favorable conditions. Letters pleading for a reduction in his son's $2-million bail were sent to the San Diego County Superior Court.[http://graphics.latimes.com/nunez-santos Esteban Núñez profile], latimes.com; accessed May 6, 2017. One letter, on official stationery, came from Núñez's longtime friend, then Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa; one letter came on official stationery from Maria Elena Durazo, head of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor; one came from California Assembly Republican Leader Michael Villines; and one was sent by California State Assemblyman Kevin de León.{{cite web|url=http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/government/when-dads-friends-write-letters|title=When Dad's Friends Write Letters|date=May 4, 2009|publisher=voiceofsandiego.org|access-date=May 6, 2017}} His bail was reduced to $1 million.{{cite web|url=http://www.10news.com/news/bail-reduced-for-man-accused-in-fatal-stabbing|title=Bail Reduced For Man Accused In Fatal Stabbing|date=October 5, 2009|access-date=May 6, 2017}}

Just hours before he left office, Schwarzenegger commuted Esteban Núñez's sentence to seven years.{{cite web|last=Dillon|first=Nancy|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/calif-pol-son-killed-college-student-prison-article-1.2596545|title=Calif. pol's son who killed college student out of prison|publisher=NY Daily News|date=2016-04-11|access-date=2016-10-12}}{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/01/04/us/04pardon.html|title=Schwarzenegger Commutes Sentence of Politician's Son|first=Ian|last=Lovett|date=January 3, 2011|access-date=May 6, 2017|via=NYTimes.com}}{{cite web|last=Lah|first=Kyung|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/07/07/us/arnold-schwarzenegger-clemency|title=Arnold Schwarzenegger's last act as governor follows him|publisher=CNN.com|date=2015-07-08|access-date=2016-10-12}} The commutation, along with Schwarzenegger's failure to notify the family of the victim, outraged them who then tried to sue to stop the commutation but were unsuccessful. Subsequently, Schwarzenegger's successor Jerry Brown signed a bipartisan bill in 2011 requiring victims and their families to be given at least 10 days notice before prison sentence commutations.{{cite web|author=Patrick McGreevy|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2011-oct-04-la-me-brown-legislation-20111004-story.html|title=Gov. Jerry Brown signs notification bill on reducing sentences|publisher=Articles.latimes.com|date=2011-10-04|access-date=2016-10-12}} In April 2016, Esteban Núñez was released from Mule Creek State Prison after serving less than six years.{{cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-esteban-nunez-released-from-prison-20160410-story.html|title=Esteban Nuñez is released from prison after his sentence was drastically reduced by Schwarzenegger|date=April 10, 2016|newspaper=LA Times|access-date=May 6, 2017}}

In 2010, Núñez filed paperwork to run for the California State Senate{{cite web|last1=Goldmacher|first1=Shane|title=Fabian Núñez files for state Senate|url=http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2009/02/fabian-nunez-fi.html|website=The Sacramento Bee|date=February 2009|access-date=February 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306090851/http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2009/02/fabian-nunez-fi.html|archive-date=March 6, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} but withdrew.[http://www.joincalifornia.com/candidate/6140/ Join California-Election History for the State of California—Fabian Núñez], joincalifornia.com; accessed May 6, 2017. Núñez created a campaign finance committee and announced that he would run for California State Treasurer in 2014, when incumbent Bill Lockyer was termed out.{{cite web|url=http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2010/02/former-assembly.html|title=Ex-Assembly Speaker Fabian Núñez eyes treasurer bid in 2014|publisher=Sacramento Bee|access-date=May 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927091851/http://blogs.sacbee.com/capitolalertlatest/2010/02/former-assembly.html|archive-date=September 27, 2016|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} Núñez formed an exploratory committee for California State Treasurer in 2018.{{cite web|title=Candidates and Elected Officials|url=http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Misc/filerSearch.aspx?SEARCH=Fabian+Nunez|website=California Secretary of State Alex Padilla|access-date=May 6, 2017}}

Núñez is currently a partner at the public relations and lobbying firm Actum.{{cite web|title=Actum Statement|url=https://actumllc.com/re-passing-of-our-esteemed-colleague-judy-davidds-wright/ |publisher=Actum |date=June 23, 2022}}

References

Newspaper profiles

[https://web.archive.org/web/20040208201638/http://www.sacbee.com/content/politics/story/8228258p-9159214c.html "On the rise"], sacbee.com, February 7, 2004
[https://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-nunez5oct05,0,2294927.story?coll=la-home-center "Nuñez travels the world like a high-roller"], Los Angeles Times, October 5, 2007''
[http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/01/22/MN9UU0M5L.DTL How Núñez rose to power so fast -- Champion of Prop. 93, in Assembly only 5 years, had modest beginnings], sfgate.com

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/19981202201109/http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a46/ Official California State Assembly profile]
{{C-SPAN|45646}}

{{succession box | before = Herb Wesson | title = Speaker of the California State Assembly | years = February 9, 2004 – May 13, 2008 | after = Karen Bass}}

{{succession box

| title=State Assembly Majority Whip

| before=Wilma Chan

| after=Lloyd Levine

| years=December 2, 2002 – February 9, 2004}}

{{succession box

| title=California State Assemblymember, 46th District

| before=Gil Cedillo

| after=John Pérez

| years=December 2, 2002 – November 30, 2008}}

Category:1966 births

Category:Living people