Jackie Fielder, the progressive candidate and a queer Latina, has won the San Francisco District 9 supervisor race, according to an announcement on Thursday. Fielder, representing areas including the Mission, Bernal Heights, and Portola, will be the first Native American member on the board, as detailed in an article by the Bay Area Reporter. Achieving 57.56% of the vote, she triumphed over Trevor Chandler, who received 42.44%. Her victory comes nearly three decades after the last election of an out female to the San Francisco Board of Supervisors.
Fielder’s presence adds to a milestone as she is set to join three other openly gay members, forging a record representation of the LGBTQ community on the board. Fielder declared her win a collective triumph, shared by all those who supported her vision. In a statement obtained by the Bay Area Reporter, she conveyed gratitude towards her constituents: "To every single supporter, every neighbor, every small dollar donor, every person who put up a sign, every volunteer: I am honored and humbled to represent you," she stated. "This isn't just my victory — it's our victory."
Fielder's agenda includes focusing on police reform, expanding tenant rights, and pushing for affordable housing. According to the San Francisco Chronicle, Fielder emphasizes the importance of being vigilant against government corruption and is poised to tackle safety, homelessness, and housing issues earnestly.
Despite potential challenges with her fellow board members, Fielder has indicated a willingness to collaborate, notably recognizing Dean Preston's support—assuming he maintains his seat amid the stiff competition with opponent Bilal Mahmood. Fielder, embracing solidarity in the face of adversity, told the San Francisco Chronicle, "He’s always been the first to support me in any of my endeavors, and I’m forever grateful for him to do that." Preston's fate remains undecided, with early counts indicating a tight race against Mahmood, who leads with 53.28% to Preston's 46.72%.
As Fielder prepares to assume office, addressing the urgency of protecting undocumented immigrants is at the top of her agenda – a priority highlighted by the forthcoming Trump administration, as she further disclosed to the San Francisco Chronicle.