Ron Sparks (politician) - 2010 Candidacy For Governor

2010 Candidacy For Governor

Further information: Alabama gubernatorial election, 2010

On April 3, 2009, Ron Sparks announced that he would run for governor of Alabama. In what was regarded as an upset, Sparks defeated Congressman Artur Davis in a landslide in the Democratic primary on June 1, 2010. Tensions over Davis' opposition to healthcare reform legislation, along with Davis' decision to not seek the support of traditional Democratic Party groups and his ignoring the needs of his constituents in his congressional district, led voters to overwhelmingly vote for Sparks in the Democratic Primary.

Early in the 2010 campaign, Sparks voiced support for healthcare reform, opposed charter schools, supported the Stimulus, and advocated an educational lottery and gaming tax for pre-kindergarten and college scholarships.

Following Parker Griffith's switch to the Republican party, Sparks' political consultants encouraged him to run for Griffith's seat in the United States House of Representatives, however he declined and chose to remain in the running for Governor.

Robert Bentley, the Republican nominee for governor, defeated Sparks with 58% of the vote.