SAN DIEGO -- San Diego-based Assemblyman Nathan Fletcher's effort to pass Chelsea's Law has placed him in the national spotlight.

Fletcher, a Republican representing California's 75th District, will tell you he's no hero, but the signing of Chelsea's Law is a pivotal political moment for the 33-year-old freshman assemblyman.

Even though he's been the face on the floor of the state capitol, Fletcher said he wasn't alone.

"We had a great team; I've been a part of a lot of teams. I was in the Marine Corps for 10 years. I was an athlete in college, but I've never been prouder of a team than this one," Fletcher said Thursday.

Fletcher was a Marine Corps counter intelligence specialist until 2007, but just three years later, political consultants consider him a rising star of California's Republican Party.

"He's a member of the minority party. Usually you don't get any bills passed, even if it's good legislation, so this is absolutely nothing short of remarkable," said political consultant John Dadian.

But in his first term, Fletcher had eleven bills passed, with legislation to help military veterans and small business employees among them.

Still, when Brent and Kelly King first approached him, he said he suggested they work with someone else.

"I said, 'Meet with a lot of the legislators, I just got here, I'm just a freshman. Meet with a lot of them and pick who you want,'" said Fletcher.

The Kings never hesitated, and six months later Chelsea's Law is on the books. Fletcher said he never thought this day would come so quickly.

"Legislation this big never gets done in a year. It takes time after time, maybe an initiative, and I remember Brent saying, 'You don't know my daughter. You don't know the power she brings.' And today is a testament to that," said Fletcher.

There is a lot of speculation about what's next politically for Fletcher, including talk regarding a run to become San Diego's next mayor in a couple of years.

Fletcher said right now his focus is only on re-election in November.

Fletcher's opponents in November are Democrat Paul Garver and Libertarian candidate Christopher Chadwick.