Community organizer and former elementary school principal Jessica Biggs won the seat on Chicago’s first elected school board for District 6, according to the Associated Press.
“I feel really proud,” Biggs said. “I feel really loved.”
Despite being overspent, Biggs defeated two candidates backed by major players: Anusha Thotakura, who runs a progressive political organization and was endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union, and Andre Smith, who runs an anti-violence group and was supported by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and Urban Center Action, two groups that oppose the teachers union.
Danielle Wallace, who leads an Englewood organization that offers programming for children and youth, ran as a write-in candidate.
The 6th District is unique as it includes Streeterville and parts of Englewood — two of the most economically distinct neighborhoods in the city.
For most of the race, Biggs only brought in a series of smaller donations. Recently, she received $50,000 from a super PAC in Denver called Parents for Great Schools. She said she thinks that group donated because of her connection to Teach for America.
In comparison, Thotakura brought in $390,000. Smith got $337,000 in support from super PACs, in addition to the money he raised himself.
“A few days before the election, we had as many undecided folks as we did folks who had already or intended to choose me,” Biggs said. “So that, to me, tells me that the money didn’t permeate in the way that it was expected to.”
Though Biggs was not endorsed by the CTU, she said she thinks she will agree with them on many issues. On the issues where she doesn’t agree, she said she will be transparent about why she is voting no.
Related Posts:
- Ellen Rosenfeld wins in North Side District 4 Chicago School Board race News View real-time results on the 2024 general election from the AP. Follow our live coverage for context, reactions, and analysis throughout the day. Chicago Public Schools staffer Ellen Rosenfeld pushed past five other candidates — and fellow CPS parents — to become the Chicago school board’s member from the largely…
- Che “Rhymefest” Smith leads in South Side District 10 Chicago School Board race News View real-time results on the 2024 general election from the AP. Follow our live coverage for context, reactions, and analysis throughout the day. 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.…
- Angel Gutierrez wins Southwest Side District 8 Chicago School Board News View real-time results on the 2024 general election from the AP. Follow our live coverage for context, reactions, and analysis throughout the day. 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…
- Carlos Rivas Jr. wins Near North Side District 3 Chicago School Board News View real-time results on the 2024 general election from the AP. Follow our live coverage for context, reactions, and analysis throughout the day. Carlos Rivas Jr. defeated Jason Dónes to take the Chicago School Board’s District 3 seat in a polarized race marked by big spending supporting staunchly opposite groups,…
- Yesenia Lopez wins in CPS School Board District 7 race News View real-time results on the 2024 general election from the AP. Follow our live coverage for context, reactions, and analysis throughout the day. Chicago Teachers Union-backed candidate Yesenia Lopez prevailed in the school board District 7 race, according to the Associated Press, ahead of stay-at-home parents Eva Villalobos and Raquel…
(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)