Mike Gotch

Mike Gotch (October 4, 1947 – May 18, 2008) was an American politician who was a San Diego City Council member, a California state assemblyman, and a state advocate for environmental issues. He is remembered for his representation of the beach area with the dedication of a bridge in his name.

Early life and education Gotch grew up in San Francisco. He graduated from San Diego State University with a bachelor's degree in public administration.

Political career Gotch's public career began in the 1970s as president of the Mission Beach Town Council while working as analyst and then director for the San Diego County Local Agency Formation Commission. He was then elected to the San Diego City Council in 1979, representing the Mission Beach and Pacific Beach communities. He was reelected in 1983 with a record 91.4 percent of the vote. His community support, however, fell in 1988

He was appointed to the Stadium Authority Board from 1988 to 1990 and was instrumental in instituting a smoking ban in the facility. On the city council and in the Assembly, he represented areas that included coastal communities. He retired from the Assembly at the end of his second term. He went to work as a lobbyist for the Tribal Alliance of Northern California.

Gotch returned to Sacramento in 2000 as the legislative liaison for then-governor. Gray Davis until 2003. The bridge was dedicated to him at its opening on April 26, 2012.