Don’t see that this was covered on the trib. Crossposted from MyLeftWing .
Last night was primary night in my home state of sasnaK – and the results have assured that no matter what happens in the general election in November, the “moderate” pro-science members will outnumber the remnants of the “conservative” majority that has made such a mess of science standards and the state BOE the last few years.
The lone moderate facing a primary fight, Janet Waugh defeated an anti-evolution stealth candidate in the District 1 Democratic primary – there is no GOP challenger in the General, so she will hold her seat on the board.
One of the most vocal “conservative” leaders – Connie Morris – was defeated in her District 5 GOP primary by a pro-science Republican challenger, Sally Cauble. There is a Democrat entered in the General – but both are in agreement regarding the science standards – so this will be a gain for the “moderates” and assure that the current majority will cease to have control of the board.
more after the jump
Another of the current majority did not run – and so the GOP primary was between “pro-science” Jana Shaver and “anti-evolution” replacement Brad Patzer (the son in law of the incumbent). Shaver won the primary handily so she or Dem moderate Kent Runyan will provide another new “moderate” voice when the Nov winner joins the board. A swing of at least 2 seats.
It was not all good news – anti-evolution ringleader John Bacon held off former Kansas Citizens for Science president Harry McDonald in District 3 and incumbent Ken Willard managed to sneak through with 49% of the vote against 2 challengers in District 7 – but even if they hold off Dem challengers in November, they will be no longer be able to control the board’s agenda.
McDonald is a disappointing loss – but he has already endorsed the Dem challenger for the November election – and despite Johnson counting being a GOP stronghold – that seat is not yet assured to be Bacon’s. (after all – over 40 percent of GOP primary voters were against the guy… maybe one of those “moderate coalitions” KS seems to put together can yet be built to get rid of him.)
Either way, much of the board’s work of the last few years will be quickly undone – although as Pat Hayes of Red State Rabble points out
We will face another election in just two years when three of the current four-member moderate minority are up for re-election. The radical right will be ready with money and candidates when that day comes.
Will we?
I think we will – the Democratic party is becoming much more visible and vocal – and the split between “moderate” and “ultra-conservatives” in the GOP is nearing schism like levels – witness a number of moderates who have very publicly changed parties recently.
Here are some good places to read up on recent events in Kansas
In This Moment: Hope and Politics
