Nonprofit consultant Angel Gutierrez defeated his opponent, former Chicago Public Schools band director Felix Ponce, according to the Associated Press, in a race where opposing outside groups heavily funded their candidates in School Board District 8.
The largely Hispanic district includes West Lawn and Clearing, parts of McKinley Park, Bridgeport and Gage Park, plus most of Back of the Yards, Chicago Lawn, Ashburn and Garfield Ridge and half of the South Loop.
Gutierrez, 52, worked in nonprofit management for more than 25 years, while Ponce, 30, was a band director at Back of the Yards College Prep.
The two men were backed by ideologically opposed groups. The Chicago Teachers Union endorsed and financially supported Ponce. Gutierrez was backed financially by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and has been a strong supporter of school choice throughout his campaign. Gutierrez sends his own kids to Catholic school.
Gutierrez argued that he emerged as the more moderate candidate, compared to Ponce’s more progressive positions. He pointed to the area’s political history, such as voting largely for mayoral candidate Paul Vallas instead of current Mayor Brandon Johnson.
“The 8th District has spoken kind of in a big way, I have strong support in the community,” Gutierrez said. “It’s a much more moderate family community.”
Gutierrez hinged much of his campaign strategy on his experience working with nonprofits, saying it has given him a much-needed background in fundraising. He has critiqued the district’s five-year plan, questioning where the funding will come from when the district is already facing a $300 million deficit this year and larger deficits in the years ahead.
To help decrease the shortage, he’s said he’ll push for 56% of Chicago property taxes to return to the schools as intended. He also questioned why the school board doesn’t have a finance committee and suggested auditing the district’s budget.
At the CTU election party Tuesday night, Felix Ponce urged the crowd to hold people accountable for promises made during campaigns.
“There’s a lot of people who are fighting with us to keep progressing forward,” he said. “So let’s keep on that fight.”
Contributing: Elvia Malagón