DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Senate blocked the nomination of a gay rights activist to the state school board after a heated debate lasting two days.

Some Republicans said they feared that Gov. Tom Vilsack’s nominee, Jonathan Wilson, a Des Moines lawyer who had served 12 years on the Des Moines school board, would try to promote a gay agenda.

Sen. Nancy Boettger, R-Harlan, said she got many letters from constituents opposing the appointment.

“I have heard from more people than I have ever heard from about a confirmation,” said Boettger, chairman of the Senate Education Committee. “They don’t want any hint of pushing the gay lifestyle through our school system.”

Other Republicans said they simply questioned Wilson’s qualifications and whether he could move Iowa’s educational system forward.

The nomination failed 22-24. Wilson needed two-thirds of the vote, or 34 votes, to be confirmed.

Wilson was asked to appear before the Senate Education Committee, where he and his Democratic supporters defended his record.

While serving on the school board in Des Moines, Wilson also served on the National School Boards Association’s board of directors and a National Council on Education Standards and Testing task force.

Sen. Matt McCoy, D-Des Moines, said that the opposition is motivated by bigotry and hatred and “is clearly discriminatory.”

“We have the most qualified candidate that we have ever had ... yet he is being taken apart by rumor, innuendo, hatred and bigotry and a sense that he’s not good enough to serve Iowa because he has a different sexual orientation,” McCoy said.

Wilson said the Senate’s decision shows that Iowa is not a welcoming place for gays and lesbians.

“It’s a sad day for the state of Iowa,” he said. “It sends the wrong message to gay and lesbian citizens.”

Wilson had served 12 years on the Des Moines school board when he publicly announced in January 1995 that he was gay.

His 1995 re-election bid failed.

Sen. Neal Schuerer, R-Amana, said Wilson’s views on education were the issue, not his sexual orientation.

“It’s time now that we look to leaders who will make a difference. We don’t need someone who’s spent time traveling over the country promoting an education agenda that hasn’t worked for Iowa,” Schuerer said.

Senate Minority Leader Mike Gronstal, D-Council Bluffs, called it an embarrassing day for all Iowans.

“Once again, Republicans have pandered to a hateful minority, discouraged our young people from making Iowa their home, and sent a negative message about Iowa to the rest of nation,” he said.