Kansas School Board Evolves in Primaries
Kansas Board of Education candidates who supported science standards that de-emphasize evolution were defeated in two GOP primaries and trailed in a third Tuesday as voters appeared to be rejecting the standards. A supporter of the standards was leading in a fourth race.
Linda Holloway, who supported the new standards as board chairwoman last year, trailed Sue Gamble 40% to 60%, with 99% of the votes reported.
Steve Abrams, who helped write the standards, was leading Roger Rankin, who campaigned against the standards, 63% to 37% with 57% of the vote counted.
In another race, moderate Bruce Wyatt led Brad Angell 56% to 44%, with 77% of the vote counted. Angell supports the standards, while Wyatt wants to change them. They are vying for a seat vacated by a member who voted for the standards.
Incumbent Mary Douglass Brown, who supported the standards, was defeated by Carol Rupe, who opposed the board’s decision, 48% to 52%.
It was the first time state voters got a chance to decide whether the standards approved last year should cost board members their jobs.
More to Read
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.