State Senator Meets a Tough Crowd as He Vies for Top Job at Florida State U.

A Florida state senator who is seeking to become president of Florida State University had a tense day of meet-and-greet at the Tallahassee campus on Monday, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

John E. Thrasher, one of the most influential politicians in the state and one of four finalists to lead Florida State, got a hostile reception from some students and faculty members in a daylong interview conducted as part of the search.

Mr. Thrasher was asked in his session with faculty members if he believed in climate change and, in another question, if he believed in evolution. He did not provide a “yes” or “no” answer to either question, and his response to the first provoked laughter from some in the audience. At that point, Mr. Thrasher threatened to leave, saying, “If I’m going to get heckled by the front row from people who are laughing and making jokes about it, then I’m not going to stay,” the Tampa Bay Times reported.

Thrasher interview with #FSU faculty turning combative. VERY COMBATIVE. He just threatened to walk out.

— Tia Mitchell (@TBTia) September 15, 2014

Students and faculty members alike have protested Mr. Thrasher’s inclusion in the last round of finalists to succeed Eric J. Barron, who left to become president of Pennsylvania State University. The Faculty Senate has already approved a resolution opposing Mr. Thrasher, citing his lack of an academic background.

From the very start of the rocky search, Mr. Thrasher has drawn controversy. In May the search committee voted to interview Mr. Thrasher to better gauge his interest in the position, citing his presence as discouraging others from applying. Students and faculty members protested, and the committee nixed the idea in June, as other high-profile applications for the presidency began to roll in.