A Democrat running for a seat on the State Board of Education is making evolution an issue.

Carolyn Campbell of Topeka is running in the 4th District of northeast Kansas. She supports current state science standards treating evolution as a well-established scientific theory.

She contends Republican Robert Meissner, also of Topeka, has a "hidden agenda."

Meissner says, "My only agenda is serving kids."

The issue arose during a debate today in Lawrence. The two are hoping to replace retiring board member Bill Wagnon, a Topeka Democrat.

Meissner said he won't change the current science standards. But Campbell noted that Meissner has received a contribution from a group that has supported evolution critics in the past.