Jen Snyder, a progressive political strategist with Red Bridge Strategies, said District 9 voters would likely reject a moderate supervisor if Fielder resigns and Lurie has the opportunity to fill her seat.
“District 9 is progressive. And there is an army of volunteers and neighbors who will make sure that it remains that way regardless of what Jackie chooses to do,” Snyder said. “I’m positive that a big part of Jackie’s leave of absence will be considering what is best for her district, which she cares deeply for. But just a reminder that it wasn’t just Jackie that won. It was her unapologetically progressive platform that won an astounding majority of votes.”
Former Supervisor Aaron Peskin said he hopes that Fielder gets the help and support she needs, and ultimately that she chooses to stay.
“But I respect any decision she makes. And I have every confidence that the sophisticated progressive voters of District 9 will ultimately, as they have for decades, will elect progressive supervisors no matter who the mayor should appoint,” Peskin said.
Over the weekend, remarks poured in from community groups and political leaders across the city.
“The Native community is sending you prayers during your healing. We look forward to you coming back to work soon to lead and protect our families in our community,” reads a statement from the American Indian Cultural Center.
“We stand unequivocally with Supervisor Fielder and offer her our full support. We are holding her in our hearts and surrounding her with strength, care and deep respect, and we call on the community to do the same,” the Latino Task Force said in a statement. “We encourage her to prioritize her health and not feel pressure to make decisions about her role during an acute health crisis.”
Fielder’s colleagues on the Board of Supervisors also wished her healing over the weekend.
“Supervisor Fielder has been a powerful leader on civil rights, immigration and for working people, and I’ve valued the chance to work with her and learn from her leadership on those issues,” Supervisor Bilal Mahmood said in a statement. “Whatever path she chooses, I know she will remain a fierce advocate for those communities.”
Supervisor Connie Chan, another progressive member of the board who is also running to represent San Francisco in Congress, said in a statement, “We will support Supervisor Fielder and her team during this time to make decisions that are in the best interest of Supervisor Fielder’s health and the people she represents.”
“This is a tough world we’re in, in terms of the political world, and it’s intense, it’s spirited, and there’s all that, but at the end of the day, there are real humans behind these decisions,” Supervisor Danny Sauter told KQED on Monday. “Supervisor Fielder is a good person who cares about her community, and I want her to take time to heal.”
Fielder’s staff said they would continue to meet with constituents during her medical leave.
“On matters of her personal health, we respectfully ask the press to give her the privacy and space necessary for healing, and not to report on unsubstantiated rumors,” Fielder’s aides said in a statement. “We urge everyone to treat this situation with the same respect and sensitivity as they would if she were recovering from any other medical emergency.”
