Welcome back to our “Meet the Candidates” series, where we ask the District 9 supervisorial hopefuls in the November 2024 election one question each week. Candidates are asked to answer questions on policy, ideology and more in 100 words or fewer.
Answers are being published individually each week, but we are also archiving the weekly series here.
If you know of other political events, let me know and I will add them to the post.
We will not post a question next week, but we will be back the week after.
I will be at Pops Bar (2800 24th St.) at 5. p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 24, to say hello and talk about the district, or you can email me at oscar.palma@missionlocal.com.
This week’s question: Assuming that you will be voting for yourself, who do you plan on ranking as your second choice? Why?
Julian Bermudez
- Job: Works in and directs his family business, Rancho Grande Appliance
- Age: 27
- Residency: Born San Francisco 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
- Transportation: Carpool/catch a ride
- Education: City College of San Francisco, Chico State University
- Languages: English and Spanish
I’ve always indicated that I’m voting local. My second choice is Roberto Hernandez, and my third choice is Jamie Gutierrez. Throughout the election, I made several changes in my vote, largely based on character and action. Are they in it to win, or to save our communities? Just as in poker, you may expose your cards by your demeanor and the amount you stake. The front-runners we were handed are not here to help our communities. The argument is that Roberto is more than a community leader to me; he is family. He has aided my family and created the…read more here.
Endorsed by: No endorsements listed… read more here
h brown
- Job: Retired special education teacher
- Age: 80
- Residency: Tenant, at current address for nine years, redistricted into District 9 in April 2022
- Transportation: Walking
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in education and master’s degree in special education from Clemson University
- Languages: English
I always vote for myself first so mom won’t turn over in her grave.
However, I always endorse someone else first; in this case, Jackie Fielder.
My second endorsement is for Jaime Gutierrez, because he’s genuine, but on my personal ballot, I’ll fill in Stephen Torres, who came into sharper focus over the past two evenings’ forums.
They’re all lots smarter than I gave them credit for, but I underrated Torres most.
So, in reality, I should be voting for Stephen Torres first, but I already gave that slot to Jackie Fielder long ago, ’cause I’m afraid of Trevor Chandler.
I hope that clears any confusion.
Endorsed by: No endorsements listed.
Trevor Chandler
- Job: Public school teacher since 2023. Former director of government and public policy at Citizen, a public safety app.
- Age: 37
- Residency: Tenant, living in District 9 since July 2021
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Plymouth State University
- Languages: English
When I secured the San Francisco Democratic Party’s No. 1 endorsement, I asked members to vote for Roberto Hernandez No. 2. I encourage his supporters to vote for me No. 2 as well.
It’s imperative for District 9 and the entire City that we elect someone focused on results, not the same toxic and empty ideology that’s brought so many of our crises to a boiling point.
I’m proud to have built a diverse coalition of Latino, Asian, environmental and women’s rights organizations who support my campaign. I’m committed to being a bridge builder focused on getting real results for Mission, Bernal, and Portola.
Endorsed by: San Francisco DCCC (#1), Latino LGBTQ political organization HONOR PAC, Chinese American Democratic Club, SF League of Conservation Voters, LIUNA Local 261… read more here
Jaime Gutierrez
- Job: Transit supervisor for SFMTA/Muni
- Age: 57
- Residency: Tenant, born in District 9 in 1967 and, except for three years spent in the Army, has resided here ever since
- Transportation: Bike
- Education: U.S. Army, City College of San Francisco, University of California, Berkeley
- Languages: English and Spanish
My second choice will be a candidate like myself with integrity, and is not beholden to outside interests. I am dismayed by the fact that there are candidates in this race that have qualified for public funding, and they don’t bother to have their campaign litter-a-ture printed by a San Francisco Union Shop. Those candidates, and their teams are strong-arming potential voters not to exercise the ranked choice voting. There is no rule in place to enforce these shortcomings, but lack of integrity is what has us in the civic mess we are in! Julian Bermudez is my second choice.
Endorsed by: Transportation Workers Union Local 200 … read more here
Roberto Hernandez
- Job: CEO, Cultura y Arte Nativa de Las Americas (CANA).
- Age: 67
- Residency: Homeowner, born in the Mission in June 1956 and has not left
- Transportation: Car and bicycle
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in sociology from University of San Francisco
- Languages: English and Spanish
It’s been an honor to spend the past several months getting to know my fellow candidates and hearing their perspective on a whole range of at forums throughout the district. One thing is clear: I’m running among a group of individuals who share my passion for making District 9 a better place for all of us to live and work.
I encourage my supporters to utilize the power of ranked-choice voting by selecting additional candidates that align with our values and principles, with a track record on important issues such as public safety, housing, and community service.
Endorsed by: Alice B. Toklas LGBTQ+ Democratic Club, Firefighters Union, United Educators of SF (#2), San Francisco DCCC (#2), Civil Rights Leader Dolores Huerta… read more here.
Jackie Fielder
- Job: 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
- Residency: Tenant, lived in District 9 September 2017 to June 2018, October 2019 to August 2020 ,and April 2021 to present
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in public policy and master’s degree in sociology from Stanford University
- Languages: English and Spanish
I will rank all my fellow Latino candidates, but Stephen Torres will be my No. 2 choice. I’m proud to be the No. 1 endorsed candidate of organizations District 9 voters trust, like the League of Pissed Off Voters, SF Tenants Union, and the Harvey Milk Democratic Club, and Stephen is their No. 2 choice. At the end of the day, while I hope that District 9 voters rank me No. 1 and Stephen No. 2, I hope they also rank our Latino leaders who are running.
Endorsed by United Educators of SF (#1), Small Business Forward, SF Women’s Political Committee (#1), Bernal Heights Democratic Club, California Nurses Association… read more here.
Stephen Torres
- Job: Bartender at Twin Peaks Tavern, customer service at Flowercraft Nursery and freelance writer
- Age: 46
- Residency: Tenant, lived in District 9 summer 2001 to fall 2003, and returned in the summer 2010
- Transportation: Public
- Education: Moorpark Community College and San Francisco City College as work has permitted
- Languages: English and Spanish
One of the most positive aspects of the wide field of candidates in this race is the ongoing robust conversation that is a result of the multiple community candidates we have represented. It has allowed for accountability from us to the community, and given voice to many community perspectives, as opposed to a binary of talking points. In deference to the spirit of that representation, I have decided not to adopt a formal ranked strategy at this time, and will be finalizing my decision in the coming weeks, casting my ranked vote alongside many of you on Nov. 5.
Endorsed by: Former state Senator Mark Leno, District 9 supervisor Hillary Ronen, District 3 Supervisor Aaron Peskin, Harvey Milk Democratic Club (#2), National Union of Healthcare Workers… read more here
District 9 contributions
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
Read the rest of the District 9 questions here, and the entire “Meet the Candidates” series here.
You can register to vote via the sf.gov website. Illustrations for the series by Neil Ballard.
Everyone knows that Roberto Hernandez is all talk, his performative stage act is old by now. He just shows up for photos and chest beating. If you talk to him one on one he is not that smart to be honest. Not fit for office.
Disappointed in both Jaime and Julian for backing thug Roberto Hernandez. Given Roberto’s shady history, he is the LAST person we need as Supervisor. Plus he supports Brooke Jenkins. Jackie is an Stanford political snob who looks good on paper, but if you talk with her you realize she is running for state assembly and not D9. Trevor is just gross and quite frankly reads as GOP, it’s why the billionaires and tech douches back him. After seeing a few debate panels, I’m voting for the one who showed a great love for the city and district and also seems sincere. My vote is for Stephen Torres. And despite their number 2 choice, Jaime and Julian will be my 2 and 3.
I’m curious. What evidence do you have that Hernandez is shady? This is the second time I’ve heard this, but I haven’t read about any specifics.