Community organizer and former elementary school principal Jessica Biggs won the seat on Chicago’s first elected school board for District 6, according to the Associated Press.
“I feel really proud,” Biggs said. “I feel really loved.”
Despite being overspent, Biggs defeated two candidates backed by major players: Anusha Thotakura, who runs a progressive political organization and was endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union, and Andre Smith, who runs an anti-violence group and was supported by the Illinois Network of Charter Schools and Urban Center Action, two groups that oppose the teachers union.
Danielle Wallace, who leads an Englewood organization that offers programming for children and youth, ran as a write-in candidate.
The 6th District is unique as it includes Streeterville and parts of Englewood — two of the most economically distinct neighborhoods in the city.
For most of the race, Biggs only brought in a series of smaller donations. Recently, a super PAC in Denver called Parents for Great Schools committed to spending $50,000 to promote her campaign. She said she thinks that group donated because of her connection to Teach for America. Biggs said that group so far spent only a fraction of that amount supporting her candidacy, according to State Board of Elections records.
In comparison, Thotakura brought in $390,000. Smith got $337,000 in support from super PACs, in addition to the money he raised himself.
“A few days before the election, we had as many undecided folks as we did folks who had already or intended to choose me,” Biggs said. “So that, to me, tells me that the money didn't permeate in the way that it was expected to.”
Though Biggs was not endorsed by the CTU, she said she thinks she will agree with them on many issues. On the issues where she doesn’t agree, she said she will be transparent about why she is voting no.
This story was updated to clarify that a super PAC called Parents for Great Schools did not donate directly to Biggs' campaign.
