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 St. for a community conversation and a town hall meeting 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 at Cafeto Coffee Shop at 111 Richland Avenue on Thursday May 2 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?
Languages: Spanish
Education: Moorpark Community College and San Francisco City College as work has permitted.
Stephen Torres
Bartender at Twin Peaks Tavern, Customer Service at Flowercraft Nursery and freelance writer.
Age: 46. Housing: Tenant. Transport: Public
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.
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 District 9 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.
Languages: Spanish. Education: Stanford: BA in Public Policy and MA in Sociology.
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.
Age:29. Housing: Tenant. Primary Transport: Public
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.
Languages:
Education:
h brown
Retired special education teacher.
Age: 80. Housing: Tenant. Transport:
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 more than 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.
Languages: Spanish. Education: US Army, CCSF, UC Berkeley.
Jaime Gutierrez
Transit supervisor for SFMTA/Muni.
Age: 57 Housing: Tenant. Mode of Transport: Bike
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.
Languages: Spanish
Education:
Roberto Hernandez
CEO, Cultura y Arte Nativa de Las Americas (CANA).
Age: 68. Housing: Homeowner. Transport:
As a lifelong District 9 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
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.
Julian Bermudez
Works in and directs his family business, Rancho Grande Appliance.
Age: 27 : Housing: Tenant. Transport: Carpool/catch a ride
At the moment, I do not support anyone or have made a decision on who to vote for in this coming mayoral election.
Languages: Spanish.
Education: CCSF, Chico State University
D9-contributions
Money raised and spent in the District 9 supervisor race
Money raised
Money spent
Jackie Fielder
$31,954
$112,742
Roberto Hernandez
$11,443
$100,577
Trevor Chandler
$72,682
$90,840
Stephen Torres
$13,848
$5,949
Julian Bermudez
$740
Michael Petrelis
$0
Jamie Gutierrez
$0
h Brown
$0
$0
$50,000
$100,000
$150,000
$200,000
Money raised
Money spent
Jackie Fielder
$31,954
$112,742
Roberto Hernandez
$11,443
$100,577
Trevor Chandler
$72,682
$90,840
Stephen Torres
$13,848
$5,949
Julian Bermudez
$740
Michael Petrelis
$0
Jamie Gutierrez
$0
h Brown
$0
$0
$50K
$100K
$150K
$200K
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
The candidates who refused to answer or who said they look forward to working with whoever wins had the correct answer.
The next D9 supervisor, like all supervisors, will be in a constant push and pull with the Mayor’s Office. Whether it’s Peskin, Farrell, Lurie or Breed, the sup will have to represent the district’s interests and needs. Not some ideological scorecard and certainly not the whims of dogmatic LARPers.
Even an ideological fellow traveler could quickly become a political enemy if a piece of legislation doesn’t align with the interests of the Mission.
D-9 Voters,
Both Lurie and Peskin came by my 80th birthday party this last Saturday afternoon where they were informally grilled by Adriel Hampton who flew up for the day hoping to see them.
And, Marc Salomon who is best Political Mind in SF by this Dawg’s Proprietary Algorithm and should be in this race himself cause he says he’s afraid that if he won he’d be whacked.
Maybe right.
Inteferring with the disbursal of ten or more billion a year can be dangerous.
Luke Thomas of Fog City Journal was there and Tony De Renzo of da Dawg and Phillipe’ from Dolores Park and best buddies Daniel and Becky Cohen … more
Big news today is that SF Planning’s investigation of the fencing around Historic Armory is illegal and they have to pay $2,126.92 for the inspection cause complaint was confirmed.
ML still not covering story and stopped printing coverage of Police Commission as, “not interesting”.
Peskin for Mayor cause he’s literally best prepared candidate in San Francisco’s history other than Matt Gonzalez.
Lurie for Second cause he’s hell of a nice guy who has fallen in with bad company.
lol
Go Niners !!
h.