Che “Rhymefest” Smith leads in South Side District 10 Chicago School Board race

View real-time results on the 2024 general election from the AP.

Independent candidate Che “Rhymefest” Smith maintains a slight lead in the 10th District race for the Chicago School Board over Karin Norington-Reaves, according to the Associated Press.

Norington-Reaves raised concerns as people voted about the wrong ballots being handed out at some polling stations. She had heard from supporters in the 10th District that her name was not on their ballots in both the 6th and 4th wards.

The Chicago Board of Election Commissioners says the issue, which also impacted the 46th Ward, was quickly resolved.

But it raises questions given the slim margin of Smith’s lead.

Smith was gracious when reached Tuesday night. He said all the candidates in District 10 were solid and he learned a lot from his competitors.

At more than $500,000, Norington-Reaves had, by far, the most in financial support. Some of it was spent on behalf of her campaign and not coordinated with it, and some was given to her campaign fund. She was supported by two anti-Chicago Teachers Union, pro-charter school super PACs — the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and Urban Center Action.

Robert Jones, the CTU candidate, had about $321,000 contributed to his campaign, mostly from the CTU and its affiliates. He said he told his wife she would soon have him back full time.

But Smith said he was proud of the voters in District 10 for not being swayed by the big money being spent in the race. Smith loaned nearly $100,000 to his campaign and raised another $30,000.

“We went directly at the message of, ‘what do parents want in the schools of the 10th district?’ ” Smith said. “And we’re seeing their response right now, and I couldn’t be prouder of our community.”

Contributing: Elvia Malagón

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