AL-05: Sparks Unlikely to Run

Well, nothing’s official, but check out this press release that found its way into my inbox:

Gubernatorial candidate Ron Sparks will hold press conferences on Tuesday, December 29 to discuss the his campaign for Governor and next year’s race for the 5th Congressional District seat in North Alabama.  The press conferences will be held at:

Huntsville: 10:00 a.m., Madison County Courthouse Steps

100 Northside Square

Birmingham: 1:30 p.m., Linn Park

Montgomery: 4:00 p.m., Sparks campaign headquarters, 4240 Carmichael Rd

If you’re announcing that you’re running for Congress, you usually don’t take your announcement tour on the road to places outside the district (Birmingham and Montgomery) that you’re supposedly interested in representing. While I suppose Chris Van Hollen still has some time on the clock to make a last minute plea, I don’t think you should hold your breath. Ron Sparks seems to think that he has a good shot at being Alabama’s next Governor. I think he’ll eventually come to regret this choice, but that’s just my take.

So what’s next? If the DCCC is smart, they’ll lean hard on Public Service Commissioner Susan Parker, who was the candidate they should have lined up behind in 2008. However, while Parker hasn’t officially ruled out the race, I’m hearing credible word that it’s more likely that she’ll run for re-election to the PSC. Democrats would then have to settle for someone further down the totem pole — one such name that I’ve heard being considered is Deborah Bell Paseur, a former district judge who narrowly lost a race for Alabama’s Supreme Court in 2008. But I’m sure we’ll hear more names in the coming days.

UPDATE: This tweet says that Sparks isn’t running.

RaceTracker Wiki: AL-05

44 thoughts on “AL-05: Sparks Unlikely to Run”

  3. Wtf is wrong with Sparks? WHy does he have problems with getting into races that he can actually win instead of running in races where is gonna lose. This guy makes no sense whats so ever

  4. in earliest reports and then b’ham and gump came next.

    but the two biggest media spots in state are bham and the gump. so don’t read to much into that. why would anyone come to bham and gump for press conference when he announces in huntsville he’s not getting in?

    another potential big name candidate is Steve Raby – lobbyist, political consultant and former Howell Heflin chief of Staff.  

  5. the event in Montgomery (Sparks headquarters) could be to thank his volunteers.  But, that still leaves the Birmingham news conference — maybe to endorse Davis for Governor?

  7. is the solution to winning in this district, I’d remind you that she lost in 2002 to Jeff Sessions in this district 57-42.

    And if you think facing Parker Griffith in 2010 will be easier than facing Jeff Sessions in 2002, I’ve got a bridge to nowhere to sell you.  And facing a teabagger will be slightly easier, it won’t be much better.

    Our best bet is to recruit Bud Cramer, and even with him it is at best maybe a 20% chance against a teabagger.

    My advice is to write this seat as a loss and focus on more winnable areas.  California might be a better bet.

  11. Ron Sparks must have zero political intelligence.  Why in the world would he stay in the Governor’s primary which is a sure loss and pass up this primary which would almost assuredly be a sure win and maybe get to face a bloodied teabagger?  I don’t get it.

    I would maybe get not running for either, or running for Lt. Gov, but not running for this seat and staying in GOV makes zero sense.

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