A candidate’s last-minute withdrawal from a bid to become president of the New Orleans school board failed to diffuse emotional protests from advocates for LGBT rights.
    
Board member Leslie Ellison had drawn strong criticism because of her past opposition to anti-discrimination laws based on sexual orientation and gender identity. Those views had drawn increased scrutiny in recent weeks.
    
When Thursday night’s debate was over, board members, including Ellison, unanimously chose to re-elect John Brown as board president.
    
Ellison remained as vice president on a 4-3 vote despite emotional pleas from a parade of critics who said she failed to represent the interest of all children