AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - By a thin, 6-4 vote, former Husson College president William Beardsley has won a legislative committee's endorsement to serve on the state Board of Education.
Wednesday's vote for Beardsley broke down on party lines, with Democrats in opposition.
Still, a committee's recommendation carries a lot of weight when that and dozens of other nominations by Gov. Paul LePage face final confirmation votes Thursday by the Senate. It takes a two-thirds Senate vote to overturn a committee recommendation. No one stood up during Wednesday's hearing to oppose Beardsley.
Lawmakers' questions briefly focused on former Husson chaplain Robert Carlson, who committed suicide after learning he was being investigated for sexual abuse of minors. Beardsley said that in his 22 years at Husson, he had no knowledge of any illegal behavior by Carlson.
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