Incumbent backed by CTU holds huge lead in NW Side District 3a Chicago School Board race

District 3a neighborhoods: Avondale, Irving Park, Logan Square, Belmont Cragin, Hermosa, Albany ParkIncumbent Norma Rios Sierra held a dominant lead late Tuesday in her bid to retain her school board seat representing the Northwest Side over lawyer and newcomer Peter Gonzales, according to Associated Press election results.Rios Sierra was first appointed to the school board in 2024 by Mayor Brandon Johnson. She’s a longtime community organizer and one of four candidates who was endorsed by both the Chicago Teachers Union and the Service Employees International Union Illinois State Council, the formerly allied but recently feuding labor unions that represent workers at Chicago Public Schools.Schools in District 3a are struggling with teacher shortages, arts program cuts, charter school closings and access to mental health support. The Northwest Side district has a mix of 23 dual-language, charter and alternative schools serving mostly Latino students.While both candidates had similar po