When it comes to timing, election campaigns and baseball season have a lot in common. They both heat up in the fall, but start in late winter to early spring. This year, February marks both the start of spring training and the “preseason” for Chicago’s school board candidates.
Yesterday was the first day candidates could start gathering signatures to get on the ballot. But unlike baseball season, when all the teams get started at once, petition season for candidates will see momentum pick up as we get closer to the filing deadline, May 26.
In February, WBEZ published a deep dive into the money sitting board members have already amassed (or not) to run in November. The chart at the bottom of the article also shows which incumbents have active committees, a strong sign they plan to run.
Board Rule has been reaching out to incumbents, challengers, and organizations recruiting candidates to assess the state of the field. Here’s what we’ve learned so far.
Board President: At this time, sitting board member Jennifer Custer, former appointed board member Sendhil Revuluri and Urban Prep charter network board member Victor Henderson are the only declared candidates. But up to three more potential challengers could be in the mix. President Sean Harden, the current appointee, has announced he will not run for election. A recent online poll circulated, testing favorability ratings for Custer, Henderson, Revuluri, plus sitting board members Jessica Biggs and Michilla Blaise. The poll also tested favorable sentiment toward former Chicago Public Schools CEO Paul Vallas, who ran for mayor in 2023.
District 1A. Current appointee Ed Bannon has announced he will run to keep his seat. Board Rule is unaware of any declared challengers.
District 1B. The current elected, Jennifer Custer, has announced she is running for board president, not to keep her seat. Claudia Peralta, district director for Congresswoman Delia Ramirez, has announced her candidacy. Michelle Pierre, a charter leader who also served as the chief academic officer of the Cleveland Metropolitan School District, ran in 2024 and is running again.
District 2A. The current elected, Ebony DeBerry, has an active committee and confirmed she is seeking re-election. Board Rule is unaware of any declared challengers.
District 2B. Debby Pope, the current appointed member, confirmed she plans to reactivate her campaign committee and run for election. Board Rule is unaware of any declared challengers.
District 3A. Current appointee Norma Rios-Sierra has an active committee. She is likely to face at least one challenger, but none have yet declared.
District 3B. Carlos Rivas, the incumbent elected, has an active campaign committee and will hold a formal campaign kickoff on March 8. Jason Dónes, who ran in 2024, has an active campaign committee.
District 4A. Karen Zaccor, who ran unsuccessfully in 2024 and was later appointed to this seat, has an active campaign committee. Ellen Sherratt, an expert on education policy, especially teacher development and pay, will challenge her.
District 4B. Ellen Rosenfeld, the incumbent elected, confirmed she will run to keep her seat. Board Rule is unaware of any declared challengers.
District 5A. Jitu Brown, the incumbent elected, has an active committee. He is likely to face one or more challengers, but Board Rule has not yet confirmed whether any candidates have declared.
District 5B. Michilla Blaise, who withdrew her 2024 candidacy and was later appointed to her current seat, has an active campaign committee. Anthony Hargrove, who ran in 2024 but did not survive a petition challenge, has an active committee.
District 6A. Anusha Thotakura, who ran unsuccessfully in 2024 and was later appointed to this seat, has an active campaign committee. She confirmed she will run for her seat. Board Rule is unaware of any declared challengers.
District 6B. The current elected, Jessica Biggs, has an active committee. Brenda Anderson, a professor in Northwestern University’s School of Education and Social Policy, and a 2025 Academy for Local Leadership Fellow, has announced she’s running for the seat.
District 7A. Emma Lozano, the current appointee, does not have an active campaign committee. At press time, she had yet to respond to an email from Board Rule asking if she plans to run. Jesus Ayala, Jr., who ran last time, is running again.
District 7B. Yesenia López has an active campaign committee. Board Rule is unaware of any declared challengers.
District 8A. Angel Gutierrez has an active campaign committee.Board Rule is unaware of any declared challengers.
District 8B. Cydney Wallace, the appointed incumbent, does not have an active campaign committee. She told Board Rule she is considering a run but has not yet decided. She is likely to face a challenger.
District 9A. Ángel Vélez, the appointed incumbent, has begun circulating petitions to get on the ballot. Brittany Preston, who is married to state Senator Willie Preston, is also running.
District 9B. The current elected, Therese Boyle, has an active campaign committee. Board Rule is unaware of any declared challengers.
District 10A. The current elected, Che “Rhymefest” Smith, has an active campaign committee. Although the Rev. Robert Jones, who ran last time, does not currently have an active campaign committee, he is a member of the Academy for Local Leadership’s current fellowship cohort.
District 10B. The current appointed, Olga Bautista, resigned Board Rule is unaware of any candidates for the seat at this time.
Editor’s Notes: Part of Illinois Latino News’s mission is to amplify the work of others in best serving Hispanic, Latino communities.
Season Opener: Who’s Running for School Board…So Far was first published on Board Rule and was republished with permission.