Leaders in the Missouri Senate withdrew Gov. Eric Greiten's nomination of Eddy Justice for the State Board of Education on Tuesday.
After a number of Senators vowed to filibuster discussion in order to block his confirmation, Justice said, Senate President Pro Tem Ron Richard, R-Joplin, withdrew Justice's nomination from consideration.
Justice, who resides in Poplar Bluff, said the motion to withdraw came after 20 minutes of debate. He believes his nomination can be resubmitted in the future.
Justice is one of five members of the State Board who voted to remove Dr. Margie Vandeven as Missouri's Commissioner of Education after Greitens strategically appointed individuals to the traditionally non-partisan State Board who seemed to reflect his own political ideals.
Many education professionals spoke out in support of Vandeven, including Poplar Bluff District Superintendent Scott Dill, and it was unclear why Greitens wanted her out.
The governor's method of offering and revoking appointments drew considerable media attention. In December, Sen. Gary Romine, R-Farmington, pledged to not support any of the five members who voted to fire the Commissioner.
Justice said when he initially received word of the governor's appointment last summer, it was without condition.
"All I have fought for since I have been on the State Board of Education is that Missouri kids deserve the best we can give them," Justice said. "I felt Missouri could do better in the commissioner's office and voted accordingly. Missouri needs efforts in place at the state level to raise reading proficiency above 40 percent at the fourth grade level and I could find none. If that raises the ire of some, then so be it."
The remaining Greitens State Board appointees awaiting Senate confirmation are Jennifer Edwards, Marvin Jungmeyer, Doug Russell, and Eric Teeman.