Phew. . The top conservative activist on the powerful Texas Board of Education, who rejects evolution and has pushed for a revisionist right-wing U.S. history curriculum, is on the way out, after a moderate candidate defeated him in a tight primary last week. For months now, TPMmuckraker has been covering Don McLeroy as a major player in the battle over the drafting of nationally influential history textbook standards by the Texas board. Lobbyist Thomas Ratliff edged out McLeroy 50.4%-49.6% in a GOP primary for the seat McLeroy has held since 1999. Close as it was, Ratliff's win is significant because he represented a clear alternative to McLeroy, and he pulled through in a deeply conservative district. McLeroy's home county went 64-35 for McCain in '08, and no Democrat is even running for the board seat. Ratliff is younger, moderate, and emphasized listening "to teachers and superintendents in determining what students should know," according to the endorsement column of the Dallas
When a Republican electoral victory is a good thing
Posted by Jackson 700 days agoWho Voted for this Story
Pligg is an open source content management system that lets you easily create your own social network.
Comments