by MORGAN SMITH
Texas Tribune
Despite losses for moderate Republican candidates in several open seats — and the ousting of three incumbents — the ideological control of the State Board of Education won’t be much different after this election cycle.
San Antonio Democrat Michael Soto, a Trinity University professor who has become a vocal member of the board in his two years there, lost in an upset to social worker Marisa Perez, who appears to have little presence online and has not filed any campaign finance reports. Former board chairwoman Gail Lowe, a member of the board’s social conservative bloc, lost to Sue Melton, an educator backed by two state teachers associations. And first-term incumbent George Clayton narrowly missed making a runoff in his primary contest; expect a runoff between Republicans Geraldine “Tincy” Miller and Gail Spurlock in July.
Social conservatives won the race to fill departing moderate member Bob Craig’s seat, with Marty Rowley narrowly defeating school board member Anette Carlisle, whom Craig had endorsed. Former teacher Rita Ashley failed to knock off veteran incumbent David Bradley, who is widely considered the leader of the board’s more conservative bloc. Chairwoman Barbara Cargill and San Antonio board member Ken Mercer easily defended their seats from more moderate challengers.
But the candidates preferred by the social conservative members lost in other races. Despite their aggressive opposition to incumbent Thomas Ratliff, he hung on to his spot on the board, defeating Randy Stevenson. Jeff Fleece, their choice to replace outgoing member Marsha Farney, didn’t make it to a runoff, leaving two former educators — Rebecca Osborne and Tom Maynard — to vie for her spot.
