GOP challengers join Texas ed board battleground

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

Posted on Sun, Feb. 28, 2010
GOP challengers join Texas ed board battleground
PAUL J. WEBER
The Associated Press

SAN ANTONIO - Uproar over the evolution curriculum. Divides over religious influences in American history. A board member who called public schools a "subtly deceptive tool of perversion."

Even to some Republican challengers in Tuesday's primary election, Texas' influential State Board of Education has image issues.

"The creationism and evolution issues have overshadowed what the board does," said candidate Thomas Ratliff, a lobbyist. "I don't think everything they do is bad. But they have a real PR problem."

Ratliff is one of several Republicans trying to unseat some of the most prominent Christian conservatives on the board, which adopts Texas school curriculum standards on everything from science to social studies. Twenty-two candidates are vying for eight seats up for election, five of which are held by Republicans.


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