Supervisor Jackie Fielder is in a hospital in San Francisco following major turmoil in her office and her absence from public meetings for the past two weeks.
Fielder told a reporter from The Standard that she was available to speak in person at the hospital. A hospital security guard confirmed that Fielder was in the facility but would not allow the reporter to enter. The Standard has no confirmation of her condition.
Fielder has told multiple people that she plans to resign. As of 4:30 p.m. Friday, the Board of Supervisors clerk had no documentation of Fielder’s resignation.
A legislative aide shared a statement from Fielder’s office: “Jackie Fielder is going through an acute personal health crisis right now and we are not at liberty to share details, but we appreciate the support people have given us and are proud of her for taking care of herself.”
Considered the most left-leaning member of the board, Fielder is known for her advocacy for public banking, tenant protections, and opposition to corporate interests and President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration policies. This month, she called for an audit of the Sheriff’s Department.
Should Fielder’s seat be vacated, the ideological balance of the Board of Supervisors would likely shift, empowering Mayor Daniel Lurie, with whom Fielder often sparred. The mayor would be able to appoint as supervisor a moderate who aligns with his policies on public safety and homelessness and would shield his legislation against vetoes from the board, which requires a supermajority.
The rebalance of power would also put more pressure on the 2026 Board of Supervisors elections, where money is already flowing from special interests.
Anya Worley-Ziegmann, a progressive organizer known for their work with the People’s Budget Coalition and the local Democratic Socialists of America chapter, said Fielder is a key figure in the progressive movement.
“It’s hard to put into words what Jackie’s candidacy and time in office means to working-class San Francisco,” Worley-Ziegmann said. “[It’s] always about the movement that she represents.”
A progressive who won election in 2024, defeating moderate candidate Trevor Chandler, Fielder represents the Mission, Bernal Heights, and Portola. She ran for state Senate in 2020 but lost to incumbent Scott Wiener.
Fielder’s office has seen tumult following a city attorney’s investigation into a reported leak. Feng Han’s employment as an aide in the office ceased March 12, according to the city clerk. Fielder excused herself from at least four board and committee meetings this month, records show.
In a statement, City Attorney’s Office spokesperson Jen Kwart wished Fielder a quick recovery.
“Our thoughts are with Supervisor Fielder,” Kwart said, “And (we) encourage her to take the time and space necessary to thoroughly consider any potential resignation.”
A graduate of Stanford University, Fielder was involved in activism before becoming a supervisor, campaigning against the Dakota Access Pipeline, an oil pipeline that sparked protests during construction. Fielder taught classes at San Francisco State University from 2018 to 2020. She also served as a commissioner and vice chair of the San Francisco Local Agency Formation Commission and was co-director of Stop the Money Pipeline, a campaign that aimed to push back on money going to fossil fuel companies.
During the 2024 race, Fielder handily beat her main opponent, Chandler, who ran a moderate campaign.
This is a developing story and will be updated.