Florida’s university leaders on Tuesday blocked Santa Ono from becoming the University of Florida’s president after a weeks-long campaign against him by conservative commentators.

In a surprise twist, Florida’s top higher education board voted against a contract for Santa Ono, who was set to be the president of the University of Florida.

Those who voted against Ono pointed to what they described as substantive concerns to his record and responses during a tense, hours-long interview. Board members cited his reversal on diversity and climate change initiatives, and his delayed response to antisemitism during his tenures at University of Michigan and University of British Columbia.