San Francisco Supervisor Jackie Fielder Takes Medical Leave for Mental Health

San Francisco Supervisor Jackie Fielder is taking a leave of absence from City Hall due to an unspecified mental health condition, according to her office, capping a weekend of confusion and concern for the District 9 representative.

On Friday afternoon, Fielder told reporters she had checked into a hospital and would resign from her post. About 48 hours later, representatives from her office said she could still decide to remain in her position.

“She has not resigned. Supervisor Fielder is currently navigating a mental health condition and needs time and space to recover before making any major decisions,” said Sasha Gaona, chief of staff for Fielder’s office. “She wants to regain stable health so she can thoughtfully and responsibly consider her options.”

First elected in 2024, Fielder represents the Mission, Portola and Bernal Heights neighborhoods. She is widely viewed as the most progressive member of a Board of Supervisors that is dominated by moderate Democrats.

Before announcing her medical leave, Fielder had been absent from multiple Board of Supervisors and committee meetings in the last month. The full board is currently on a spring recess and will not reconvene until April 7.

Mayor Daniel Lurie released a statement wishing Fielder a speedy recovery.

“She is a dedicated advocate for her community,” Lurie said. “I am encouraging everyone to give her the time and space to get better so she can do that work fully, and I’m wishing her strength and all the best for her health.”

If Fielder were to resign, Lurie would select her appointment, extending his influence over the Board of Supervisors. Rumors have already circulated about potential replacements and how Lurie could bring the board’s political tilt closer to the center.

It would be his third supervisorial appointment since he took office. In November, Lurie appointed Beya Alcaraz to replace recalled Supervisor Joel Engardio in the Sunset District. But the young Filipina supervisor quickly resigned after reporting showed she had potentially attempted to skirt taxes for the pet shop she ran in the neighborhood. Lurie later appointed Alan Wong, who is now running for a permanent seat to represent the westside district.

Fielder, a Latina and indigenous woman, has been one of the most vocal supervisors opposing President Donald Trump’s agenda around issues such as immigration enforcement and federal funding cuts. She’s drawn a stark contrast to several of her more moderate colleagues and particularly Lurie, who has often refrained from speaking publicly about Trump.

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.”