Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
He voted against reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards, saying “I have to consider the experts.”(1)
He attended college, but did not graduate.(2)
He was the only Democrat to vote for the “back to basics” English standards.(3)
He was involved in the controversy over the rejection of the third grade math book in November, 2007.(4)

Lawrence Allen, Jr. - District 4

Lawrence A. Allen, Jr. (Houston) is a Democrat and has been a member of the SBOE since 2005. He may run for re-election in 2010.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
He voted against reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
Referring to the English standards, he said “If you are going to affect the educational process in the state of Texas, the most important people included in that should be the teachers of the state of Texas.”(5)

Mary Helen Berlanga - District 2

Mary Helen Berlanga (Corpus Christi) is a Democrat and has been a member of the SBOE since 1982. She may run for re-election in 2012.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
She voted against reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
“They (the religious conservatives on the board) will want to get rid of the theory of evolution (in science textbooks), or at least dilute it as much as possible. They want to put in intelligent design, or creationism.”(6)
She co-nominated David Hillis, biology professor and director of the Center of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics at the University of Texas, to the state science curriculum expert review panel in October, 2008.(7)

David Bradley - District 7

David Bradley (Beaumont) is a Republican and has been a member of the SBOE since 1997. He may run for re-election in 2012.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
He voted for reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
In 2002 he Strongly Favored this position on Creationism: “Present scientific evidence supporting intelligent design, and not just evolution, and treat both theories as viable ones on the origin of life.”(8)
In 2008 he Strongly Favored this position on “Evolution Weaknesses”: “Biology textbooks which do not teach both the scientific strengths and weaknesses of the theory of evolution must be rejected by the board.”(9)
He co-nominated Stephen Meyer, anti-evolutionist and vice president of the Seattle-based Discovery Institute, to the state science curriculum expert review panel in October 2008.(10)

He wants to “make sure the next group of textbooks includes the strengths and weaknesses of evolution.” (11)
In 2003, he voted with three other board members against adopting new biology textbooks because the books did not include what he believes are “weaknesses” of the theory of evolution. “My vote is a subjective vote,” he said. “I am not a scientist; I am a lay board member . . . and we are elected to represent the common people out there in our districts.”(12)
Despite his personal snub of public schools, Bradley claims he is involved in setting public education policy “because I’m a taxpayer and a businessman.”(13)
He rejected an advanced placement environmental science textbook in 2001 because he said the book erred in saying that suburban development “swallows up” hillside country in California. In his view, “such developments create jobs and ‘quality of life.’”(14) The board ultimately rejected the textbook, with members of the board’s far-right faction calling it anti-American and anti-Christian and criticizing its discussion on pollution and global warming as “junk science.”
His most dramatic rejection, however, was of an algebra textbook that he criticized for pictures, recipes (!), and references to women’s suffrage, biology and the Vietnam War. By law, the state board can reject textbooks only if they fail to cover established state curriculum standards, contain factual errors or do not meet manufacturing specifications. Knowing that his ideological bias was not a legally sufficient reason to reject the math textbook, Bradley tore the cover off (with some effort), stating, “Ladies and gentlemen, worthless binding. I reject this book.”(15)
He has home-schooled his two children.(16)
He attended college, but did not graduate.(17)
His eligibility to serve the district in which he has been elected is under investigation.(18)

Barbara Cargill - District 8

Barbara Cargill (The Woodlands) is a Republican and has been a member of the SBOE since 2005. She may run for re-election in 2012.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
She voted for reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
Despite her experience as a public school science teacher, Cargill has been a supporter of ideas far outside the scientific mainstream.
In 2008 she Strongly Favored this position on “Evolution Weaknesses”: “Biology textbooks which do not teach both the scientific strengths and weaknesses of the theory of evolution must be rejected by the board.”(19)
She wrote ”… when evidence for universal common ancestry in the fossil record is taught (i.e. scientific strength), then the contradictory evidence showing the huge gaps of missing transitional fossils in the record must also be presented (i.e. scientific weakness).”(20) She misrepresents gaps in the fossil record as scientific weaknessess of evolution, but a gap is not a scientific weakness and does not contradict evolution – it is merely an area for further research.

She co-nominated Ralph Skeele, anti-evolutionist and Wisconsin based professor, to the state science curriculum expert review panel on October, 2008.(21)
She said “There is no doubt in my mind that both the strengths and weaknesses of evolution must be presented in science textbooks.”(22)
She founded and directs Wonders of the Woodlands Science Camp. The camp is billed as an outreach program of the Woodlands United Methodist Church. A link from the camp’s Web site to “Kids4Truth” takes viewers to stories promoting “intelligent design.”
She defeated a Republican incumbent, Linda Bauer, whom the far-right faction targeted in 2004 after Bauer refused the previous year to oppose biology textbooks that included a full scientific account of evolution. “I think the district also wanted a more conservative voice,” Cargill declared.(23)
She also had the financial backing of San Antonio businessman James Leininger, who has regularly donated to far-right board candidates. Others endorsing her included Cathie Adams, president of the far-right Texas Eagle Forum.
In a letter posted on an anti-evolution Web site, Cargill thanked her supporters in the 2004 election: “To God be the Glory for our victorious election results last night!” She was referring to her own election and the victories of incumbent SBOE members Terri Leo and Gail Lowe, other members of the board’s far-right faction, in March 2004.(24)

Bob Craig - District 15

Bob Craig (Lubbock) is a Republican and has been a member of the SBOE since 2003. He may run for re-election in 2010.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
He voted against reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
“I truly believe teachers make a difference. If we’re going to appoint them to redo the standards, we should listen to them. We’re getting away from listening to good input. It shouldn’t be educational professions against us.”(25)
He co-nominated Gerald Skoog, professor and dean emeritus of the College of Education at Texas Tech University and co-director of the Center for Integration of Science Education and Research, to the state science curriculum expert review panel in October, 2008.(26)

Cynthia Dunbar - District 10

Cynthia Noland Dunbar (Richmond) is a Republican and has been a member of the SBOE since 2007. She may run for re-election in 2010.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
She moved to amend the 2009 standards to reintroduce the “strengths and weaknesses” language.
In her book, One Nation Under God (Onward, 2008), Dunbar (on p. 100) calls public education a “subtly deceptive tool of perversion.” She charges that the establishment of public schools is unconstitutional and even “tyrannical” because it threatens the authority of families, granted by God through Scripture, to direct the instruction of their children (p. 103).(27)
She co-nominated Stephen Meyer, anti-evolutionist and vice president of the Seattle-based Discovery Institute, to the state science curriculum expert review panel in October, 2008.(28)

In 2006, she Strongly Favored this position on Intelligent Design: “Present scientific evidence in our public schools supporting intelligent design, and not just evolution, and treat both theories as viable ones on the origin of life.”(29)
She said that she would like to see “intelligent design” in the public school science curriculum and textbooks.(30)
She said the concept of “intelligent design” is “at least as viable, if not more so, than evolution.”(31)
In an opinion piece dated Nov. 2, 2008, for the Christian Worldview Network, Dunbar accused Senator Barack Obama of sympathizing with enemies who want to destroy America.(32,33,34)
Her two children have been home-schooled and have attended private schools.(35)
Key supporters of private school vouchers see her as an ally.
Wealthy school voucher proponent James Leininger and his wife, Cecilia, provided key funding for Dunbar’s campaign in 2006.(36)
Her connections to the religious right are extensive.(37)
Dunbar has argued that board members are not obligated to explain their rejection of a textbook, even though state law only allows certain reasons for rejection.

Patricia Hardy - District 11

Patricia Hardy (Fort Worth) is a Republican and has been a member of the SBOE since 2003. She may run for re-election in 2012.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
She voted against reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
She does not favor putting any religious teachings into science classes.(38)
“I am open to having intelligent design in there because there is a large body of evidence unanswered by the theory of evolution. We first need to hear from science educators and experts about whether this should be done,”(39)
She co-nominated Ronald Wetherington, professor of anthropology at Southern Methodist University and director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, to the state science curriculum expert review panel in October, 2008.(40)

Mavis B. Knight - District 13

Mavis B. Knight (Dallas) is a Democrat and has been a member of the SBOE since 2003. She may run for re-election in 2012.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
She voted against reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
Ms. Knight is expecting a push from intelligent design backers to include it in the curriculum next year, but she is firmly against such a move even though many Texans with creationist views may favor it.(41)
“My position is if you're strong in your faith, then even if what is taught in a [science] class is contrary to your religious beliefs, it will not weaken your faith.”(42)
She co-nominated Gerald Skoog, professor and dean emeritus of the College of Education at Texas Tech University and co-director of the Center for Integration of Science Education and Research, to the state science curriculum expert review panel in October, 2008.(43)

Terri Leo - District 6

Terri Leo (Spring) is a Republican and has been a member of the SBOE since 2003. She may run for re-election in 2012.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
She voted for reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
In 2002 she Strongly Favored this position on Creationism: “Present scientific evidence supporting intelligent design, and not just evolution, and treat both theories as viable ones on the origin of life.”(44)
In 2008 she Strongly Favored this position on “Evolution Weaknesses”: “Biology textbooks which do not teach both the scientific strengths and weaknesses of the theory of evolution must be rejected by the board.”(45)

She co-nominated Charles Garner, anti-evolutionist and chemistry professor, to the state science curriculum expert review panel in October, 2008.(46)
Even though Darwin never argued for eugenics, she said “And by the way, eugenics started with Darwin.”(47)
She has sent her children to private school.
She said “Darwin himself would not have supported censorship of scientific weaknesses. Varying viewpoints should be welcomed as part of the school experience.” (48)
She directed attacks on proposed new biology textbooks by relying on talking points supplied by the anti-evolution Discovery Institute in 2003.
She is a public spokesperson for the far-right faction and is often quoted in news stories regarding the faction’s efforts.
She demanded publishers revise proposed new health textbooks by adding passages attacking homosexuality and defining marriage explicitly as a union of one man and one woman in 2003.(49)
She led successful efforts to stop the state board’s dues payments to the National Association of State Boards of Education in 2005. She objected to – among other things – the national association’s policies against anti-gay harassment.(50)

Gail Lowe - District 14

Gail Lowe (Lampasas) is a Republican and has been a member of the SBOE since 2003. She was appointed by Governor Perry as Chair for the 2009 – 2011 term. She may run for re-election in 2012.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
She voted for reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
She co-nominated Charles Garner, anti-evolutionist and chemistry professor, to the state science curriculum expert review panel in October, 2008.(51)
In 2002 she Strongly Favored this position on Creationism: “Present scientific evidence supporting intelligent design, and not just evolution, and treat both theories as viable ones on the origin of life.”(52)
In 2008 she Strongly Favored this position on “Evolution Weaknesses”: “Biology textbooks which do not teach both the scientific strengths and weaknesses of the theory of evolution must be rejected by the board.”(53)

Her favorite “weakness” seems to be the polystrate fossils, as mentioned at a recent SBOE meeting.
Contrary to the stated position of the National Academy of Sciences, she told Texas Monthly: “The National Academy of Sciences has still stated that [evolution] is not a fact, and we don’t believe evolution ought to be taught as a fact.”(54) The actual position of the National Academy of Sciences is that evolution is both a fact and a theory.
In 2003, Lowe was one of four SBOE members to vote against the adoption of new biology textbooks because those textbooks did not include creationist fabricated “weaknesses” in the theory of evolution.(55)
She wants full authority to censor textbooks returned to the SBOE ”… to ensure that the authority for such decisions rests with the State Board of Education, not with an appointed educrat or administrative bureaucracy.”(56)
She opposes teaching high school health students about contraception and the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases through any method other than abstinence. “I think parents have overwhelmingly shown that they want abstinence to be taught” (57)
“Lowe said she guarantees she will turn down any book encouraging population removal or blaming global warming on the normal activities of everyday people.”(58)
She is a newspaper editor, not a climate scientist. She works as an editor and copy editor for a semi-weekly newspaper in Lampasas.
James and Cecilia Leininger, proponents of private school vouchers and social conservative causes, donated to her campaign in 2004.

Don McLeroy (College Station) is a Republican and has been a member of the SBOE since 1999. He served as Chair from 2007 to 2009 but was not confirmed by the Senate for a second term starting in 2009. He may run for re-election in 2010.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
He said “Someone has to stand up to these experts,” referring to the scientists supporting the 2009 TEKS developed by the writing committees.
He seconded the motion to amend the 2009 standards to reintroduce the “strengths and weaknesses” language. (The motion failed.)
He introduced an amendment to corrupt the 2009 Biology TEKS (7B) and justified it by saying he had read the material he qouted. His deception was exposed by some diligent research.(59)

He said “I look at evolution as still a hypothesis with weaknesses.”(60)
He complained that biology textbooks “do not cover the weaknesses of evolution.” (61)
In 2002 he Strongly Favored this position on Creationism: “Present scientific evidence supporting intelligent design, and not just evolution, and treat both theories as viable ones on the origin of life.”(62)
In 2006, he Strongly Favored this position on Intelligent Design: “Present scientific evidence in our public schools supporting intelligent design, and not just evolution, and treat both theories as viable ones on the origin of life.”(63)
He wants to redefine science to include supernatural explanations: “If science is limited to only natural explanations but some natural phenomena are actually the result of supernatural causes then science would never be able to discover that truth—not a very good position for science. Defining science to allow for this possibility is just common sense.”(64)
He sees the debate as being between “two systems of science.” “You've got a creationist system and a naturalist system,” he said.(65)
He believes ”… that Earth’s appearance is a recent geologic event — thousands of years old, not 4.5 billion.”(66)
He is a biblical literalist and Intelligent Design proponent and has written and lectured against the science of evolution and in support of “intelligent design”/creationism.(67,68,69)
McLeroy posted an article on his web site attempting to argue that “common descent” is false. (70) This was an attempt to influence the SBOE textbook adoptions. The article asserts throughout that Copernicus' heliocentric model is accepted as valid today, but it is not. First, the sun is not at the center of the universe. Second, the planets do not orbit in circles around the sun, with the sun at the center. The sun is at a focus of an elliptical orbit.
He said “Why is 'intelligent design' the big tent? Because we're all lined up against the fact that naturalism, that nature is all there is. Whether you're a progressive creationist, recent creationist, young earth, old earth, it's all in the tent of ‘intelligent design.'”(71)
He was ”[o]ne of four board members who voted against current high school biology books because of their failure to list weaknesses in the theory of evolution.” (Dallas Morning News, July 18, 2007) This vote was made in 2003.
He said “It was only the four really conservative, orthodox Christians on the board [who] were willing to stand up to the textbooks and say they don't present the weaknesses of evolution. Amazing.”(72)
More info at NCSE's Antievolutionist appointed to head Texas state board of education.

Ken Mercer - District 5

Ken Mercer (San Antonio) is a Republican and has been a member of the SBOE since 2007. He may run for re-election in 2010.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
He voted for reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
He said “Any real scientist understands there are major weaknesses in evolution.”(73)
His favorite “weaknesses” are the Piltdown Man and Haeckel's embryos, as he has mentioned at many SBOE meetings.(74)
In 2006, he Strongly Favored this position on Intelligent Design: “Present scientific evidence in our public schools supporting intelligent design, and not just evolution, and treat both theories as viable ones on the origin of life.”(75)

He co-nominated Ralph Skeele, anti-evolutionist and Wisconsin based professor, to the state science curriculum expert review panel in October, 2008.(76)
He wrote that ”… they got a very well deserved spanking …,” referring to the teacher work groups that recommended the new English Language Arts standards in May , 2008. (77)
He told a reporter “We should let kids hear both sides of the story,” when asked whether “intelligent design” should be taught alongside the scientific theory of evolution.(78)
He received $35,000 — more than half of the money his opponent raised during his 2006 campaign — from wealthy San Antonio businessman James Leininger, the primary financial backer of far-right candidates for the SBOE.(79)
He was also endorsed by the Texas Home School Coalition, Texas Right to Life, Texas Eagle Forum, Concerned Women for America, and the pro-ID Texans for Better Science Education.(80)
He strongly opposes including comprehensive sex education in the public school health curriculum.(81)
He supports private school vouchers.(82)
He argues that Christians are a victimized group. “The most discriminated people in this country are not blacks or Hispanics, or any other groups of color or race,” but rather “the most … politically correct discrimination is … against any Christian American who would dare stand up for the protection of their family!”(83)
He strongly opposes legislative protections against discrimination based on a student’s sexual orientation.(84)

Geraldine Miller - District 12

Geraldine “Tincy” Miller (Dallas) is a Republican and has been a member of the SBOE since 1984 and was Chair from 2003 to 2007. She may run for re-election in 2010.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
She voted against reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
She is the sole remaining old-line social conservative from the state board’s textbook wars in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Her position on strong science education is unknown and her vote is at times unpredictable.
“There is nothing to stop a teacher from talking about other theories on how the world began, but those should not be the basis for a science class.”(85)
She co-nominated Ronald Wetherington, professor of anthropology at Southern Methodist University and director of the Center for Teaching Excellence, to the state science curriculum expert review panel in October 2008.(86)

Rene Nuñez - District 1

Rene Nuñez (El Paso) is a Democrat and has been a member of the SBOE since 1988. He may run for re-election in 2010.

Bio and Contact Information at SBOE site.
He was not present for the vote on the amendment reintroducing the “strengths and weaknesses” in the 2009 standards.
“I believe [the hard-line conservatives'] hidden agenda is to make public education look as bad as possible so they can get support from citizens of Texas for a full-blown voucher system.”(87).
He co-nominated David Hillis, biology professor and director of the Center of Computational Biology and Bioinformatics at the University of Texas, to the state science curriculum expert review panel in October, 2008.(88)

1. Scharrer, Gary. “Evolution teaching provision fails first test” San Antonio Express-News, January 23, 2009

2, 17, 54. Vine, Katy. “How Well Do You Know Your State Board of Education?” Texas Monthly, October, 2008

3, 5. Scharrer, Gary. “English standards head back to basics,” Houston Chronicle, May 23, 2008

4. Smith, Karen Ayres. “Texas Board of Education quashes dissenting report on rejected math book,” Dallas Morning News, January 18, 2008

6. Editorial. “Voters should re-elect Berlanga to state board,” Corpus Christi Caller-Times, February 9, 2008.

7, 10, 21, 26, 28, 40, 43, 46, 51, 76, 86, 88. Education column, “State science curriculum expert panel” Austin American Statesman, October 16, 2008

8, 44, 52, 62. Free Market Foundation Voter Guide, 2002

9, 19, 45, 53. Free Market Foundation Voter Guide, 2008

11, 38, 39, 41, 42, 85. Stutz, Terrence. “Education board opposes intelligent design in curricula” The Dallas Morning News. August 23, 2007.

12. Harmon, Dave. “State Board OKs biology textbooks 11-4 vote foils attempts to temper the teaching of theory of evolution.” Austin American-Statesman, Nov. 7, 2003

13, 16. Elliot, Janet. “School of naught; no state board of education member has a child in a public school.” Houston Chronicle, March 31, 2002

14. Moritz, John. “Texas Board of Educators changes course, approves science textbook.” Ft. Worth Star-Telegram, Nov. 10, 2001

15. Fikac, Peggy. “School board member divides math text in 2.” Austin American-Statesman, Nov. 8, 1997

18. Shannon, James. “Where does David Bradley live?” Beaumont Examiner, October 10, 2008

20. Cargill, Barbara, “The Cargill Connection” Texas Insider.org, December 18, 2008

22. Testimony, SBOE Meeting Sept. 10, 2003

23. Zuniga, Jo Ann. “Board of Education’s Social Conservatives Gain Ground.” Houston Chronicle, Star Edition, March 15, 2004

24. GOP Primary Election Recap

25. Burka, Paul. “The Superintendents’ Conference,” Texas Monthly, Burkablog, June 13, 2008

27. Press Release, "SBOE Chair Should Remove Dunbar from Instruction Committee" Texas Freedom Network, Dec. 4, 2008.

29, 63, 75. Free Market Foundation Voter Guide, 2006

30, 31. Obernauer, Matthew, “Five from GOP gun for 2 state education seats.” Austin American-Statesman, February 20, 2006.

32. Editorial, “Directing education from the fringe” Austin American Statesman, Nov. 7, 2008

33. AP Story, “Education official refuses to retract Obama terror claim” Houston Chronicle, Nov. 3, 2008

34. Dunbar, Cynthia, “Freedoms Will Be At Risk Under President Obama” Christian Worldview Network, Nov. 2, 2008

35, 36. Robison, Clay “Donation stirs concern in education race; The choice of ultraconservatives receives $10,000 from a voucher proponent's wife.” The Houston Chronicle, February 25, 2006

37. "What others say about Cynthia Dunbar"

47. Statement during Q&A, SBOE Meeting Sept. 10, 2003

48. Article. “What Should Be In Textbooks,” KXAN site, July 9, 2003

49. “Book Learnin’ Another Year of textbook follies.” Houston Press, Nov. 18, 2004

50. Transcription from Nov. 2005 SBOE meeting.

55. Lowe, Gail. "What Does the SBOE Do in Texas?"

56. Lowe, Gail. “SBOE’s authority Attacked Again.”

57. Newscenter Staff, "Texas Schools: 'Sex Doesn't Include Condoms'"

58. Young, Cherry. “Lowe vows to fight for values in education” The Graham Leader, October 7, 2008

59. Mohn, Jeremy, "Collapse of a Texas Quote Mine"

60. Religion Column, “Scientists Fight Creationism In Texas Classes” cbs11tv.com, September 30, 2008.

61. Brock, Katherine Cromer. “Evolution's status may be debated by state board.” Fort Worth Star-Telegram. January 19, 2008.

64. McLeroy, Don. An Opinion Piece (PDF), August 2, 2008

65, 66. Beil, Laura, “Opponents of Evolution Adopting a New Strategy” The New York Times, June 4, 2008

67. Mc Leroy, Don. Sermon "Intelligent Design Theory Primer" (mp3)

68. Mc Leroy, Don. Sermon "Intelligent Design Theory Primer" (ppt slides)

69. Mc Leroy, Don. Sermon "Intelligent Design Theory Primer" (notes)

70. Mc Leroy, Don. Historical Reality, September 8, 2003

71, 72. Mc Leroy, Don. Lecture given by McLeroy at Grace Bible Church in 2005 in Bryan, TX

73. Scharrer, Gary. “Debate over biology is brewing.” San Antonio Express-News, May 31, 2008.

74. Mercer, Ken. "It’s right to ask questions about evolution", mySA Op-Ed piece, Dec 14, 2008

77. “SBOE made right curriculum choice”MySanAntonio.com, May 30, 2008

78. Obernauer, Matthew. “Five from GOP gun for 2 state education seats.” Austin American-Statesman, Feb. 20, 2006.

79. Texas Ethics Commission records.

80. Texas Insider.org “Ken Mercer Announces His First Fifty-Five Conservative Endorsements for the State Board of Education.” January, 13, 2006. and “Elect Ken Mercer” website.

81, 84. Free Market Foundation Voters’ Guide for the 2006 Primary Runoff Election.

82. Mercer, Ken. “Comment.” San Antonio Express-News, March 2, 1997.

83. Mercer, Ken. “Comment” San Antonio Express-News, August 12, 1996.

87. Lyman, Rick. ” Best Little Election-Year Brawl In Texas Is for Control of Schools,” The New York Times, October 12, 1998