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Details about Supervisor Jackie Fielder\u2019s condition and plans were scant Saturday as allies and colleagues grappled with news that the progressive supervisor had what her staff has called an \u201cacute personal health crisis.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Anna Connors\/S.F. Chronicle<\/p>\n
San Francisco political insiders and community leaders expressed shock and concern over the weekend about Supervisor Jackie Fielder\u2019s sudden health emergency<\/a> that reportedly caused her to consider resigning from office.\u00a0<\/p>\n Details about Fielder\u2019s condition and plans were scant Saturday as allies and colleagues grappled with news that the progressive supervisor had what her staff has called an \u201cacute personal health crisis.\u201d Fielder, who could not be reached for comment, went to the hospital Friday and told Mission Local<\/a> that she planned to resign.<\/p>\n As of Saturday, however, Fielder had not resigned from her office representing District 9, which includes the Mission, Bernal Heights and the Portola. One of her aides said her office would provide \u201cupdates as they become available\u201d and asked for privacy. The aide did not answer a question about whether Fielder was still in the hospital.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n While the public waited to learn more about Fielder\u2019s status and plans, her colleagues, allies and even some political opponents expressed hope that she would get better soon. And some of her staunchest supporters began to contemplate what her potential departure would mean for the Board of Supervisors, where Fielder has been a leading progressive voice on a body that leans moderate. She is the only democratic socialist on the board<\/a> and represents perhaps the most left-leaning district in the city.<\/p>\n Anya Worley-Ziegmann, a coordinator for the San Francisco People\u2019s Budget Coalition, said a resignation by Fielder would leave her district vulnerable at a crucial moment during budget negotiations. Mayor Daniel Lurie, a moderate whose agenda Fielder has opposed at times, has ordered<\/a> the city to plan for 500 job cuts as he prepares to submit a plan to close San Francisco\u2019s projected $877 million two-year deficit.<\/p>\n San Francisco Chronicle Logo<\/p>\n Make us a Preferred Source to get more of our news when you search.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Add Preferred Source<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Lurie said in a statement Friday that he was sending Fielder his \u201cbest wishes for a speedy recovery\u201d and praised her as a \u201cdedicated advocate for her community.\u201d<\/p>\n If Fielder steps down, Lurie would appoint a successor, who would serve until District 9 voters have their say again, likely in November.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n \u201cIt leaves the Mission without a defender in a moment where budget cuts are happening, and if Lurie appoints someone who aligns with him, they are going to bear the brunt,\u201d Worley-Ziegmann said.<\/p>\n Without Fielder, progressives would be \u201cdown to one outspoken voice on the board,\u201d Worley-Ziegmann added, referring to Supervisor Shamann Walton. Still, what\u2019s most important to Worley-Ziegmann is that Fielder is able to recover and get the care she needs.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope she knows all of our love and all of our support, no matter what decision she makes,\u201d Worley-Ziegmann said.<\/p>\n If Fielder were to step down after more than 14 months in office, she would need to submit a written resignation to the Board of Supervisors clerk, which she had not done as of Saturday. She told the clerk on March 17 that she would miss the\u00a0supervisors\u2019 meeting that day and on March 24 without stating a reason for her absences. Supervisors are on spring recess next week, so the next meeting of the full board isn\u2019t until April 7.<\/p>\n Theoretically, Fielder could extend her leave of absence instead of resigning, or until she decides whether to do so, city officials told the Chronicle.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Former Supervisor Dean Preston, an ally of Fielder\u2019s who was previously the board\u2019s lone democratic socialist, said in a social media post<\/a> Friday that he wished Fielder \u201ca return to good health.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cJackie has been an amazing supervisor and has my profound respect and admiration,\u201d Preston said. \u201cI\u2019m glad she is getting medical care and prioritizing her health. Her health and well-being is the top priority right now.\u201d<\/p>\n