Chicago Teachers Union President Supports Mayor Brandon Johnson’s Re-Election

Stacy Davis Gates, President of the Chicago Teachers Union (CTU), expressed strong support for Mayor Brandon Johnson’s political future. In a recent interview, she committed to gathering petition signatures for his re-election. “I hope to see Mayor Johnson take action and I will pass a petition for him if necessary,” Davis Gates stated in an interview with WTTW News. She praised Johnson for investing a billion dollars in Chicago Public Schools (CPS).

Despite criticisms of Johnson’s close ties with the CTU and concerns over declining CPS academic performance, Davis Gates stands by the current mayor. The CTU officially endorsed Johnson, a former teacher and union organizer, in 2023. The union contributed over $2.6 million to his campaign, with broader contributions from all teachers unions exceeding $6 million.

Critics argue that Johnson’s policies align closely with CTU interests. However, Johnson denies being controlled by the union. He views his policies as unifying Chicago around shared values. During his term, he facilitated progress toward a CTU-supported governance shift for CPS. This led to a historic transition to a hybrid school board with elected and appointed members, aiming for full election by 2027.

The CTU continues to navigate challenges like declining enrollment and rising costs. A 2024 internal union document detailed extensive demands, potentially costing over $50 billion. These demands included annual wage increases, comprehensive healthcare coverage, and new social-justice mandates.

The CTU faces criticism for focusing on social issues at the expense of core academics. Notably, the Washington Post highlighted the union’s emphasis on social justice in a district with low proficiency scores in reading and math. Documents indicate significant spending on political causes opposing federal immigration enforcement.

Davis Gates recently addressed ongoing support for Johnson in an interview, affirming the CTU’s democratic processes. She rejected notions of endorsing another candidate, questioning the need for such discussions. “Members need to evaluate if they are satisfied with a mayor who supported their goals,” she emphasized.

Johnson’s office did not provide a comment. Joshua Q. Nelson covers cultural trends, education, and public policy for Fox News Digital. He is a Syracuse University and University of Pennsylvania graduate, with extensive reporting experience in education and immigration.