TOPEKA ? The State Board of Education today announced the names of five finalists for the position of education commissioner, including a Lawrence resident who has been a champion of conservative causes.

Bob Corkins, executive director of Kansas Legislative Education and Research Inc., provides research and conservative policy positions for legislators.

Most recently, he has opposed Kansas Supreme Court action that has led to increases in funding for public schools.

The other candidates selected from 20 applicants include Milt Dougherty, superintendent of the Little River school district; Daniel Harden, an education professor at Washburn University; Alexa Posny, deputy commissioner of education, and Kurt Steinhaus, deputy cabinet secretary of education in New Mexico.

The board is seeking a replacement for Andy Tompkins, who resigned earlier this year and is now an associate professor at Kansas University.

The board has scheduled interviews Sunday and Monday.