Sand Mountain Reporter

GUNTERSVILLE — Only a state legislator may stand in the way of DeKalb County native Ron Sparks making a bid for the United States Senate.

Sparks, Alabama’s commissioner of agriculture and industries, told members of the Marshall County Democratic Club on Tuesday he is considering a run at the Senate in 2008.

However, Sparks said he won’t do so if he has to run a primary.

The second-term commissioner said the Democratic Party doesn’t need a fight to see who will represent it against incumbent Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Mobile.

“He’s going to have enough money to burn a wet dog every day,” Sparks said.

Susan McKenney, the club’s chairwoman, said there is a lot of talk in state Democratic circles about Sparks, a former DeKalb County commissioner.

“On a daily basis, this man gets a lot of talk time on the blogs,” she said.

Sparks was critical of Republican leadership and said Bush “has just absolutely been terrible” on immigration.

“I personally think that all of them that are here illegally ought to serve two years in our military as support personnel,” he said.

Sparks’ desire to avoid a primary could hit a roadblock. State Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, is expected to announce her candidacy for the position.

Sparks proposed letting polls decide whom a majority of Democrats support.

Sparks also discussed the ongoing drought, saying 2007 will go down as “probably one of the worst agricultural years that we’ve had in a long time.”

He said the early heat accelerated growth, but a cold snap at Easter damaged many crops.

He said some aid will be available for farmers who have been affected.

“We’re going to be able to get ’em a little help, but not enough, folks,” Sparks said. “And that’s why we’re losing farmers.”

Sparks also urged better identification of the origin of foods and more emphasis on production of alternative fuels.

Sparks said he believes Democrats are “within striking distance” of Sessions, who will be trying for his third term.

“This man is beatable,” Sparks said. “He’s not beatable because of what I can say about him. He’s beatable because of his record.”

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Serving Albertville and the Sand Mountain region

Publisher: Ben Shurett

1603 Progress Drive
Albertville, Alabama 35950

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