Jen Snyder, a progressive political strategist at Red Bridge Strategies, said voters in the 9th District are likely to reject moderate oversight if Fielder resigns and Lurie has a chance to fill the seat.
“The 9th District is progressive, and we have an army of volunteers and neighbors who are committed to keeping it that way, no matter what Jackie chooses to do,” Snyder said. “I’m sure a big part of Jackie’s leave will be considering what’s best for the district she cares about. But just to be clear, Jackie wasn’t the only one who won. It was her unapologetically progressive platform that won her a surprising majority of votes.”
Former supervisor Aaron Peskin said he hopes Fielder gets the help and support he needs and ultimately chooses to stay.
“But I respect whatever decision she makes, and I have absolute confidence that the sophisticated, progressive voters of the 9th Ward will ultimately elect a progressive supervisor, as they have done for decades, no matter who the mayor appoints,” Peskin said.
Over the weekend, statements poured in from community groups and political leaders across the city.
“The Native American community sends you prayers as you heal. We look forward to you returning to work soon to guide and protect our families in our community,” the American Indian Cultural Center said in a statement.
“We stand behind Coach Fielder and offer our full support. We hold her in our hearts and surround her with strength, care, and deep respect. And we call on our community to do the same,” the Latino Task Force said in a statement. “We encourage her to prioritize her health and not feel pressured to make decisions about her role during a serious health crisis.”
Fielder’s colleagues on the Board of Supervisors also prayed for her recovery over the weekend.
“Superintendent Fielder is a strong leader on civil rights, immigration, and labor, and I have cherished the opportunity to work with her and learn from her leadership on these issues,” Superintendent Bilal Mahmood said in a statement. “Whatever path she chooses, she will continue to be a fierce advocate for these communities.”
Coach Connie Chung, another progressive member of the board who is also running to represent San Francisco in Congress, said in a statement: “We will support Coach Fielder and her team during this time to help them make decisions that are best for her health and the people she represents.”
“This is a tough world we’re in in terms of the world of politics, and it’s intense and vibrant and varied, but at the end of the day, there are real people behind these decisions,” Superintendent Danny Sauter told KQED on Monday. “Coach Fielder is a good person who cares about the community and I hope he takes time to heal.”
Fielder’s staff said they will continue to meet with constituents during her medical leave.
“Concerning her personal health issues, we respectfully ask the media to give her the privacy and space she needs to heal and refrain from reporting unfounded rumors,” Fielder’s aides said in a statement. “We urge all of you to treat this situation with the same respect and consideration you would treat her with if she were recovering from any other medical emergency.”
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