CHICAGO — Chicago Teachers Union Vice President Stacy Davis Gates was elected president of the union Friday following a monthslong, hard-fought battle against two challengers to succeed outgoing president Jesse Sharkey.
Friday’s election results show the strength of Davis Gates’ Caucus of Rank-and-File Educators, which has been criticized in recent months for mishandling the union’s response to the winter surge in COVID-19 cases and not being transparent enough about union finances.
CORE won by gaining the support of 56% of union members who voted — avoiding a potential June runoff by nabbing an outright majority. The challenging slates of Members First and REAL garnered 27% and 17% of the vote, respectively, according to results announced by CTU early Saturday morning.
