Independent School Board Candidates Outspent by Rivals Call Campaign ‘Incredibly Challenging’

Candidates Without Union or Charter Group Backing Face Financial Hurdles

Jessica Biggs is spending Election Day running from one polling place to another, trying to convince as many voters as possible to pick her to represent District 6 on the Chicago Board of Education. Biggs, a former Chicago Public Schools principal, knows these interactions are many voters’ first introductions to her. Meanwhile, they’ve likely gotten texts and mailers or seen signs with the names of her two opponents.

Big Money Advantage for Union and Charter Group-Backed Candidates

One of Biggs’ opponents is backed by the Chicago Teachers Union while the other has the support of the Illinois Network of Charter Schools. Those two opposing organizations are among the biggest players in these first-of-their-kind elections and have spent millions to vault their candidates into office. But in six of the 10 electoral districts, there are hopefuls like Biggs, who are getting outspent by a large margin and don’t have a direct connection to a base of supporters.

Facing an Uphill Battle

Carmen Gioiosa, an independent candidate in the 4th District on the North Side, said it has been “incredibly challenging” competing against candidates with lots of cash and support. Community forums, which theoretically level the playing field with voters hearing from all candidates equally, have not drawn big crowds.

“The territory is so large,” she said of the districts’ geographic size, which is hard to cover without resources.

Financial Disparity a Barrier

Adam Parrott-Sheffer, one of two independents in the 10th District, said he has been surprised at how expensive things like mail ads are, as much as $1 per household. Even sending emails can be complicated. While the Democratic Party is able to pay to get around spam filters, he doesn’t have the money to do that. He sent a limited number of mailers to people he thought he otherwise wouldn’t be able to reach either in person or through texts, such as older voters.

A Path Forward

Biggs said money would have been helpful to have some paid staffers. Instead, she had to rely on family and friends, who could act as good surrogates because they know her so well. But she said it’s been a lot of work.

“I am tired,” she said.

But independence hasn’t been all bad.

“A lot of people really want the school board members to be independent,” Biggs said. “It doesn’t seem like a lot of that money has penetrated.”

FAQs

* What are the outcomes of the first-of-their-kind school board elections?
* How do the financial disparities between union and charter group-backed candidates affect the outcome of the elections?
* What are the challenges faced by independent school board candidates without the backing of a union or charter group?

Conclusion

The 2024 school board elections in Chicago have seen a surge of involved candidates, but the financial disparities between union and charter group-backed candidates have made it challenging for independent hopefuls like Biggs, Gioiosa, and Parrott-Sheffer to compete. Despite the hurdles, these candidates are pushing for a more balanced and fiscally responsible approach to education in Chicago. As the school board becomes fully elected in 2027, it will be crucial for voters to consider the values and principles of each candidate, rather than just the amount of money behind their campaign.