CTU-backed candidates losing majority of Chicago School Board races

Chicago Teachers Union allies were losing most Chicago School Board elections. CTU spent more than $1 million on its candidates, but voters made it clear they are tired of paying more to get less from city schools.

Candidates backed by the Chicago Teachers Union were losing most of the seats in Chicago's first-ever elected school board races.

With between 78% and 93% of the votes counted in the 10 school board districts, CTU-endorsed candidates were losing in six out of the 10 district races. They were leading in four races, and one of those CTU candidates was unopposed.

CTU’s over $1 million campaign investment was met by voters rejecting CTU’s agenda at the ballot box. But Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson, a former CTU organizer, appoints the other half of the board and the board president, so CTU will still have major influence.

Johnson’s initial cohort of appointed board members resigned unanimously when they refused to fire CPS CEO Pedro Martinez. Johnson wanted Martinez terminated because he didn’t support Johnson’s push to take out a high-interest loan to cover CPS’ $300 million shortfall.

CTU was guaranteed at least one seat because their endorsed candidate in District 5, Aaron “Jitu” Brown, ran unopposed.

If the leads hold, the 6-4 split of new members sets up an intriguing dynamic for CPS governance, with CTU-aligned elected members poised to work alongside Mayor Johnson's appointees in this new hybrid structure.