DALLAS—Four State Board of Education members Tuesday were elected back to the curricula-setting panel that will next year tackle the potentially divisive subject of science in Texas public schools.

Meanwhile, Texas Railroad Commission chairman Michael Williams held a slight lead over Democratic challenger Mark Thompson with about a fourth of precincts reporting.

The elections were among less-heralded races in Texas in which much still remained at stake.

The education board will tackle science curriculum standards next year, possibly opening the door for intelligent design supporters. In the railroad commission race, the winner will shape energy policy in Texas for the next six years.

Voters sent Democrat Mavis Knight back to the education board over Republican Cindy Werner in one of four major challenges to incumbents. The other three led their races in early election returns.

Also clinching victory were three Republicans running without Democratic challengers: Terri Leo of Spring, Barbara Cargill of The Woodlands and Patricia Hardy of Fort Worth.

When the board revisits science curricula, debate over what to teach Texas students about mankind’s origins could bring clashes between social conservatives and moderates.

Knight, a board member since 2002, won after jumping out with more than 77 percent of the vote in early reporting.

Democrat Mary Helen Berlanga, the board’s longest-serving member, led Republican challenger Peter Johnston in the South Texas district she’s represented for 26 years. Berlanga has been a critic of intelligent design, a religious-based theory that purports the universe is too complex for science alone to explain.

Republican David Bradley, first elected in 1996, led Friendswood city councilwoman Laura Ewing. Gail Lowe led her race with Democratic challenger and retired English professor Edra Bogle.

Williams, the railroad commission chairman, tried to hold off Democratic challenger Mark Thompson, a therapist for the blind and political newcomer. Unable to run on experience, Thompson launched his challenge on gas pipeline safety following deadly explosion in Texas.

The three-person railroad commission regulates oil and gas industries but has nothing to do with trains or tracks. Williams, who was elected to fill an unexpired term in 2000, is asking voters for another six years.