Che Smith Will Face Write-in Challenger in District 10A
Grammy-winning rapper Che Smith faces a write-in bid from Tameka Walton for the District 10A school board seat.
Updated on Oct. 8, 2026 in Administration
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Chicago school board member Che Smith will run unopposed on the ballot for the District 10A seat on November 3, 2026. However, nonprofit director Tameka Walton is mounting a campaign as a write-in candidate for the district.
Why it matters
The race for the District 10A seat is significant for the 31 schools within the district, which serves a diverse population across Chicago neighborhoods including Hyde Park and South Shore.
District 10A's population is 76% Black, 11% white, 6% Asian, and 4% Hispanic. The district oversees 31 schools across several Chicago neighborhoods.
The players
Che Smith
He is a Grammy-winning rapper who currently serves as a school board member representing District 10.
Tameka Walton
She is a nonprofit director who is challenging the incumbent by running as a write-in candidate.
The details
Che Smith, a Grammy-winning rapper who was elected to the school board in 2024, currently represents District 10. The race for District 10A involves a district spanning parts of Douglas, Oakland, Grand Boulevard, Kenwood, Hyde Park, Woodlawn, Greater Grand Crossing, Chatham, South Shore and South Chicago.
Timeline
Che Smith was elected to the school board in 2024.
The District 10A school board election will take place on November 3, 2026.
Culture Shift
The transition to an elected school board in Chicago marks a departure from previous appointment-based systems. This race follows the trend of community-driven leadership shifts within the city's education infrastructure.
The outcome of this race will directly shape administrative oversight and policy implementation for 31 schools within District 10A. Residents may experience changes to school board priorities that influence daily operations for students and faculty.
The takeaway
Voters in District 10A should familiarize themselves with the write-in process if they intend to support a candidate other than the one listed on the ballot. Evaluating both candidates is essential for understanding how future board decisions might impact the local school community.
Further reading
For more information on the evolving structure of city governance, visit Administration.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Tribune.
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