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SBOE 12: Miller Loses to Political Unknown Clayton

With all precincts reporting, State Board of Education member Geraldine "Tincy" Miller has lost her seat to challenger George Clayton in the GOP primary for District 12.

Austin, Texas January 13, 2010: State Board of Education meeting in Austin

With all precincts reporting, State Board of Education member Geraldine "Tincy" Miller has lost her seat to challenger George Clayton in the GOP primary for District 12.

The race has been relatively low-profile, but Miller is an institution on the board. She's served since 1984, and as social conservatives have gained power, she has spoken out against what she considers the politicization of the institution. She generally does not vote with the board's seven-member Christian conservative bloc on the controversial issues it has raised.

Her opponent, George Clayton, is a relative unknown. On his website, he says he would stop labeling schools low-performing based on the performance of individual racial or economic subgroups of students. He also insists that a general vote of teachers would be needed to approve curriculum changes.

His views on social conservatism are murkier. In an interview with a Dallas Observer blog, Clayton said: "It's seems to me you can't be taught the one [evolution] without the other [creationism]. It's an impossibility to talk about evolution without mentioning creationism."

Clayton only spent $1,788 on the race compared to Miller’s $54,685.

Our full primary results are available on the 2010 elections landing page.

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Public education State government 2010 elections Education Geraldine "Tincy" Miller State agencies State Board of Education