An Illinois mayor running for Congress has openly admitted to having an inappropriate relationship with a former student amid the election race.
On Monday, March 16, a former student of Evanston, Illinois, Mayor Daniel Biss claimed he had an inappropriate romantic relationship with her when she was a student at the University of Chicago.
Megan Wachspress made the allegations in a Bluesky post on the night before the primary election.
“If he’s going to get a national profile on the strength of a younger woman’s campaign, I’m going to come out and say it: during his short-lived tenure as a math professor, Biss had an inappropriate romantic relationship with one of his undergraduate students. I was that student,” Wachspress’ post read.
Wachspress also opened up about her experience at the school in a Substack post. She said she was a student in Biss’ class and that he fostered a close relationship with her. During her time as his student, he allegedly sent long emails about topics that had nothing to do with school and he also hosted long office hours with her.
When the quarter ended, Wachspress claimed that Biss sent an email asking her to meet up “socially.” She added that they went on a few dates before Biss called off their relationship.
After Wachspress made the allegations, a campaign spokesperson for Biss issued a statement to Daily Northwestern. The spokesperson confirmed that Biss and Wachspress met in 2004 when he taught at the University of Chicago.
Biss was 26 at the time, while Wachspress was 20 when she was enrolled in his course.
“After the course ended, Daniel and Dr. Wachspress went on a handful of dates over the course of a few weeks. Daniel realized then, as he does now, that it was ill-advised, and he ended it,” the spokesperson said.
Wachspress said that Biss apologized to her about the incident a few years ago, though their romance took a toll on her and influenced her decision to not to pursue a career in math.
“I was so, so ashamed. Here I was, desperate for credibility among my male peers, told by no less than the President of Harvard I lacked the capacity to do the work, having made out with a professor,” she said.
Wachspress went on to note that the media attention surrounding the IL-09 primary race and the fact that she is now a professor herself made it “impossible” for her to not “say anything” about the experience.
“To want someone who wants to learn from you is to want someone for their powerlessness. And so, much later than I should, I realized this was my last chance, and I said something,” Wachspress said.
Biss ultimately won the primary election out of 15 Democratic candidates. He will next face Republican John Elleson in the general election on November 3.
