As Chicago approaches a historic vote for a fully elected school board, the campaign has devolved into a battleground of aggressive political tactics reminiscent of the city’s notorious political landscape. The new governance structure promises increased community representation, but the road to the election has been marred by personal attacks and contentious debates among candidates.
Jonathan Collins, an assistant professor of political science and education at Columbia University, noted the intense nature of the competition: “If you come to the swamp, you get muddy.”
One example of the campaign’s combative tone came from Victor Henderson, a school board president candidate who released an AI-generated video on Facebook accusing his opponents of being beholden to their financial backers. In the video, his rivals, Hilario Dominguez and Jessica Biggs, are depicted carrying buckets labeled “CTU” and “billionaires,” respectively, while Henderson’s bucket reads “the CPS students.” Some viewers questioned the use of AI in the video.
The shift to an elected, 21-member Chicago Board of Education follows nearly three decades of a mayor-appointed board, a change propelled by demands for greater representation and transparency. Yet, this transition has also led to the emergence of attack ads and significant campaign financing, transforming the election into a fiercely contested political arena.
Brian Stryker, a local Democratic consultant, highlighted the implications of these changes: “The nature of making these elected positions is the nature of making these people politicians.”
Candidates have faced scrutiny over their past controversies. Biggs has defended her firing as a principal in 2018 after being found to have altered attendance records, which she described as “minor, bureaucratic issues.” Dominguez is dealing with renewed scrutiny over past allegations of inappropriate behavior, which were ultimately not substantiated. Henderson has faced allegations from a decade-old divorce record in which his ex-wife accused him of abuse, a claim he has denied.
Campaign dynamics have intensified, with accusations among candidates over the misuse of personal history as political ammunition. Henderson, who is the only Black candidate in the race, claimed Biggs attempted to persuade him to withdraw to secure the Black vote, which her spokesperson refuted.
With a budget of $10 billion to manage, the Chicago Board of Education’s size and financial investment have drawn larger stakes in local politics, with both Biggs and Dominguez accumulating over $1.5 million each for their campaigns. Dominguez’s funding comes primarily from the Chicago Teachers Union, while Biggs has received significant backing from wealthy donors opposed to the union’s influence.
Outside organizations have also entered the fray, contributing to the political spending. As of mid-October, over $12.8 million has flooded into the races, combining candidate fundraising and super PAC expenditures.
Sendhil Revuluri, a former candidate who exited the race, expressed concern that the election has strayed from crucial educational issues to become focused on political strategy. Meanwhile, community advocates have voiced both frustration at the negative campaign tactics and hope for the broader implications of the shift to an elected board. Shannon Bennett, a community organizer, emphasized the significance of the election for minority families seeking representation.
As the election approaches, it remains to be seen how the unfolding political landscape will influence voter perceptions and the future of Chicago’s school governance.
