GOP primary could reshape Texas education board
Paul J. WeberWhat millions of Texas students learn about science and history in public schools could hinge Tuesday on tough Republican primary challenges facing key State Board of Education members.
Former board chairman Don McLeroy faced perhaps his most difficult race in his nearly 12 years on the influential panel, whose decisions about curriculum standards in Texas have significant impact on the content of textbooks marketed nationwide.
Textbook publishers have few clients bigger than Texas, giving the 15-member board unusual clout for a state body. Eight of those seats are on the ballot this year, five of which are Republican-held.
The elections are the first since the board tackled evolution curriculum in 2008, when teachers and scientists from across the country packed sharply divisive board meetings that ultimately led lawmakers to oust McLeroy as chairman.
McLeroy needs to defeat lobbyist Thomas Ratliff in the primary to hang onto the District 9 seat he has held since 1998. McLeroy is part of a conservative Christian bloc that controls the board and has been attacked by critics for pushing the panel too far to the right.
"We're not too far any which way," said McLeroy, a Bryan dentist. "It's in the middle. We're in good, clear thinking to help with our schools."
During the heated debate over science curriculum, the board decided that Texas schools would no longer have to teach the "strengths and weaknesses" of evolution. Teachers would still be encouraged to consider "all sides" of scientific theories.
Ratliff, the son of former Texas Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff, is among a group of GOP challengers viewed as less partisan on culture-war issues than their incumbent opponents. Another is attorney Tim Tuggey, who is trying to unseat Ken Mercer in District 5, where four Democrats are also vying for the seat.
The successor to Cynthia Dunbar in District 10 is another closely watched race. Dunbar did not run for re-election after one term, in which she drew the most attention for having a book published in which she said public schools were a "subtly deceptive tool of perversion."
Dunbar has endorsed Austin attorney Brian Russell, who faces educators Rebecca Osborne and Marsha Farney in the Republican primary. The winner will face educator Judy Jennings, who has no Democratic opponent in the primary.
Democrats Rene Nunez and Lawrence Allen Jr. are the two Democratic incumbents running for re-election, though Allen is unopposed in both the primary and general election and will serve a second four-year term.
No Democrats filed to run for McLeroy's seat in the November general election.