Topeka ? The teaching of evolution has a better chance of surviving Kansas politics because conservative Republicans missed last week’s deadline by seconds.

So-called moderate Republicans on the State Board of Education, who support the teaching of evolution, said Thursday they had expected conservative challengers in the Aug. 3 GOP primary, but were surprised when none filed.

“I could not be more shocked,” said board member Carol Rupe of Wichita. “I was astounded they would let me get away without a challenge.”

Sue Gamble of Shawnee has also said she expected to be targeted by conservatives.

But apparently, two candidates supported by the conservative Kansas Republican Assembly missed the June 10 filing deadline literally by seconds.

An official with the assembly declined to comment.

But according to interviews with other Republicans, the two candidates who planned to challenge Rupe and Gamble hurried to the Secretary of State’s Office to file for the races but were turned back because the deadline had passed.

Secretary of State Ron Thornburgh slammed down a gavel at exactly noon June 10 to end the filing period.

“You have to be on time,” said Scott Poor, executive director of the Kansas Republican Party, which frequently is at odds with the assembly. “I don’t know who the candidates were, so I have no opinion on them. Whoever it was, it was pretty poor planning.”

One Kansas Republican Assembly candidate had filed earlier and is running against an incumbent Republican. Kathy Martin of Clay Center is challenging incumbent Bruce Wyatt of Salina. And the Kansas Republican Assembly is working to re-elect conservative Steve Abrams of Arkansas City, who faces a GOP primary challenge from Tim Aiken of Derby.

The failure to challenge in two races where moderates hold the seats could have a decisive impact on the direction of the 10-member board, which has been sharply divided for years.

In 1999, a conservative majority drew attention when it voted to de-emphasize evolution.

In 2000, a moderate majority took control and reversed the vote.

The 2002 election created a 5-5 split with conservative Republicans on one side and three moderate Republicans and two Democrats on the other. The board often is deadlocked 5-5 on major issues.

Rupe said if a conservative had filed against her, it would have been a tough race.