In our “Meet the Candidates” series, we are asking every supervisorial hopeful in the November 2024 election one question each week. Candidates are asked to answer questions on policy, ideology and more in 100 words or less.
Answers are being published individually each week, but we are also archiving the weekly series here.
In terms of political happenings this week in the district, District 9 candidate Roberto Hernandez will be at Manny’s at 3092 16th Street for a community conversation and a town hall on Wednesday April 24 at 6 p.m.
If you know of other political events, let me know and I will add to the post.
I will be at Martha & Bros. Coffee Co. at 745 Cortland Avenue on Thursday, April 25, at 11 a.m. to say hello and talk about the district or you can email me at oscar.palma@missionlocal.com.
This week’s question: Who are you endorsing for mayor?
Lived in District 9 Summer 2001 to Fall 2003, and returned in the Summer 2010
Stephen Torres
Bartender at Twin Peaks Tavern, Customer Service at Flowercraft Nursery and freelance writer. Tenant.
I have endorsed Board of Supervisors President Aaron Peskin. Throughout his career he has maintained a community-centered approach that preserves self-determination of neighborhoods and prioritizes a livable and accessible San Francisco for middle and low income residents over giveaways to the City’s top percent.
In terms of knowledge of how our city works and functions and developing relationships with its many departments and stakeholders, one would be hard pressed to find a more appropriate candidate for the city’s top administrator. On a personal note, his dedication to the preservation of our City’s rich history and culture as well as his..Read More.
“Endorsed by: Mark Leno, Former State Senator, Aaron Peskin, President of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, Hillary Ronen, Supervisor, District 9. More here.
Has lived in District 9 since July 2021
Trevor Chandler
Public School Teacher since 2023. Former director of government and public policy at Citizen, a public safety app. Tenant.
My focus is on ensuring D9 gets the attention and resources it deserves no matter who is elected mayor. Too often D9 has been neglected because of a poor relationship between the mayor and our Supervisor. My foremost priority will always be putting D9 first so we get the respect, attention, and services we deserve from City Hall.
That’s why I will not be endorsing in the mayor’s race and will be happy to talk with anyone running for mayor about D9 priorities and ensuring their campaigns take our voices, and our votes, seriously.”
Endorsed by: Latino LGBTQ political organization HONOR PAC, State Senator Scott Wiener, Assembly Member Rick Chavez Zbur, Brownie Mary Democratic Club, Supreme Court Marriage Equality Lead Plaintiff Jim Obergefell. More here.
Lived in District 9 Sept. 2017 to June 2018, Oct. 2019 to Aug. 2020 and April 2021 to present
Jackie Fielder
Nonprofit co-director at Stop the Money Pipeline. Former educator at San Francisco State University, co-founder of the San Francisco Public Bank Coalition. Democratic Socialist. Tenant.
I’m supporting Aaron Peskin. We may not agree 100 percent of the time but he is the clear progressive choice and I know he will restore good governance.”
Endorsed by: City College Board President Alan Wong, Former D9 Supervisor David Campos, Former Mayor Art Agnos, City College Trustee Vick Chung, D3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin. More here.
At current address for nine years, redistricted into District 9 in April 2022
h brown
Retired special education teacher. Tenant.
Aaron Peskin, because he’s been training to be Mayor his entire life.
This is a guy who has hit over .400 in Triple A for over 20 years.
He knows every crack and crevice of SF’s City government at the top levels and most importantly knows every top Civil Service employee.
He won’t have to waste time being briefed by Staff and consultants and lobbyists and friends and family about whom he should trust or hate across the negotiating table.
I just wish he were smart enough to let the Voters choose their own elected Police Chief.
Lurie’s my Second.”
Born in District 9 in 1967 and, except for three years spent in the Army, has resided here ever since
Jaime Gutierrez
Transit supervisor for SFMTA/Muni. Tenant.
Whichever mayoral candidate gets elected I will be able to work with. Whoever it is should have roots in the city, who is not business as usual, and has a vision that will return San Francisco back to a destination for tourism and conventions. Public Safety and Small Business promotion and retention should be a priority along with getting rid of needless Bureaucracy. Leadership is the key to the change that the city needs right now, Mark Farrell I believe exhibits these qualities. Aaron Peskin is an apt fit for this job as well, and Dan Lurie might be considered..”
Endorsed by: Transportation Workers Union Local 200. More here.
Born in the Mission in June 1956 and has not left
Roberto Hernandez
CEO, Cultura y Arte Nativa de Las Americas (CANA). Homeowner.
“As a lifelong D9 advocate, I’ve worked with every mayor, from George Moscone to Art Agnos to London Breed, to get things done on behalf of our community. While I haven’t always agreed with them, I believe in the power of collaboration—and accountability—in service of building a better city.
I’m not endorsing anyone in the mayoral race at this time, as I’m focused on my own campaign and would like to hear more specifics from the candidates in the coming months. However, as District 9 Supervisor I’ll continue to work collaboratively with, and hold accountable, our mayor.”
Endorsed by: State Treasurer Fiona Ma, Supervisor Myrna Melgar, Supervisor Shamann Walton, State Senator Scott Wiener, BART Director Bevan Dufty. More Here
Has lived on Clinton Park since May 1996, which became part of District 9 in April 2022
Michael Petrelis
AIDS and LGBTQ activist
Petrelis said he wishes not to participate.
Endorsed by: Not seeking endorsements, and I see much of the Endorsement Industrial Complex as corrupt, rife with payola and favor-trading, and for gotcha responses.
Born SF in 1996, raised on and off in District 9 until he left for college in 2015, then the army in 2019 and now back, living in the Mission
Julian Bermudez
Works in and directs his family business, Rancho Grande Appliance. Tenant.
“At the moment I do not support anyone or have made a decision on who to vote for in this coming mayoral election.”
More Here
D9-contributions
Money raised and spent in the District 9 supervisor race
Source: San Francisco Ethics Commission, as of April 3, 2024. Chart by Junyao Yang.
Candidates are rotated alphabetically. Answers may be lightly edited for formatting, spelling, and grammar. If you have questions for the candidates, please let us know at oscar.palma@missionlocal.com
