Kansas School Board Evolves in Primaries

TOPEKA, Kan. — 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.