Incumbent School Board Member Withdraws From Chicago Board President Race Citing Special Interest Spending
Jennifer Custer, an incumbent school board member, has withdrawn from the race to become the first elected president of the Chicago Board of Education. She cited the expected high spending from special interests as the reason for her decision.
Chicago, IL, August 27, 2026 —
Jennifer Custer, an incumbent member of the Chicago Board of Education, has withdrawn her candidacy for the position of the board’s first elected president. Custer stated that her decision was prompted by the anticipated significant financial contributions from special interests that would likely influence the race.
The race for the inaugural elected president of the Chicago Board of Education was set to be a significant event following recent changes to the board’s structure. Custer, who has served as an incumbent member, was among those considered for the newly established leadership role.
In her announcement, Custer did not provide specific names of the special interests she referenced, nor did she detail the projected amounts of the expected spending. The exact timeline for when this spending was anticipated to occur or influence the election process was also not disclosed. Custer’s stated reason centers on her assessment of the financial landscape surrounding the election, suggesting that external funding could heavily impact the outcome and the nature of the leadership contest.
The Chicago Board of Education has undergone structural changes, leading to the creation of the first elected presidency. This new role is intended to reshape the governance and operational dynamics of the city’s public school system. Custer’s withdrawal removes one potential candidate from this pivotal election.
Further details regarding other candidates who may have been vying for the position, or the specific mechanisms through which special interests might exert influence, were not immediately available. The timeline for the election of the first president and the procedures for candidacy remain subjects of ongoing public interest.
Story summarized from the original created by Becky Vevea, Chalkbeat on blockclubchicago.org, see more information here.
