Governor Gavin Newsom has appointed Nathan “Nate” Ballard, a former aide who was previously sentenced in connection with a domestic violence case, to the State Historical Resources Commission.
Ballard, 57, of Mill Valley, will serve on the commission alongside eight other members responsible for designating state historical landmarks and preserving California's cultural heritage. The appointment was made on Friday evening.
In 2020, Ballard was arrested following an incident at an upscale resort. According to the Napa County district attorney's office, he allegedly pushed his then-wife into a glass door and held a pillow over his four-year-old daughter’s head. The following year, court records indicate he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges of corporal injury against his spouse and child endangerment. He received a sentence of four years' probation, initially including a six-year restraining order against his ex-wife and two children, which was later reduced to two years, as reported by the San Francisco Chronicle.
Ballard previously served as Newsom’s communications director from 2007 to 2010, during Newsom's tenure as mayor of San Francisco. His career also includes roles with the Democratic National Committee and the California Democratic Party, and as John Kerry’s California press secretary in 2004. He currently works as a private practice attorney and operates a public relations firm.
A spokesperson for Governor Newsom stated that the governor “considers the experience, qualifications and suitability for each post in making appointments.” The statement added, “He believes that abuse of any individual is unacceptable, and that those who commit such conduct should face accountability. He also believes in second chances.”
Ballard, who expressed his enthusiasm for returning to public service and preserving California's heritage, acknowledged the controversy surrounding his appointment and stated he is grateful for the governor's support. However, the decision has drawn criticism from individuals such as Ivy Lee, head of the San Francisco Mayor’s Office for Victims’ Rights, who questioned the elevation of individuals convicted of abuse, and Nadia Rahman, former president of the San Francisco Women’s Political Committee, who described the appointment as “egregious” and a potential normalization of such behavior.
