Creationist Loses Chairmanship of Texas Education Board

The creationist chair of the Texas Board of Education, which recently adopted science standards questioning evolution, has been booted from his post by the Texas senate.

A dentist by profession, Don McLeroy lobbied hard on behalf of intelligent design proponents when the board deliberated on new science standards in March. In a vote taken on the floor of the Texas senate yesterday, he received a 19-11 verdict, falling short of the two-thirds majority required for confirmation of gubernatorial appointees. Some of the senators who voted against him—all of them Democrats—criticized him for his anti-evolutionist stance.

McLeroy will remain on the 15-member board, which is currently dominated by conservatives. The rumor is that Governor Rick Perry could now nominate another board creationist, Cynthia Dunbar, to the chair’s post.