Yesterday, Roll Call, the respected Capitol Hill newspaper, reported on the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee’s (DSCC) interest in a possible Ron Sparks Senate run. In this subscription-only link, reporter Josh Kurtz notes:
Democratic leaders in Alabama think their time in the wilderness may end this election cycle. All it will take to build a Democratic bonfire, they believe, is Sparks — specifically, Ron Sparks (D), the state’s commissioner of agriculture, who is seriously weighing a challenge to Sen. Jeff Sessions (R).
In his bid for a second term last year, Sparks captured 59 percent of the vote, winning 62 of 67 counties in the process. The Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee is leaning hard on him to take on Sessions, and Alabama insiders believe Sparks could jump in the race as early as next month.
“He has a grass-roots network and good name identification and a lot of support in the Republican base — without betraying his Democratic roots,” said Alabama Democratic Party Chairman Joe Turnham. “I think there’s a sense that if he runs, he could be another [Sen. Jim] Webb [D-Va.] or [Sen. Jon] Tester [D-Mont.].”
Make no mistake. If Sparks runs, it will be a hard campaign as the GOP struggles to hold on to yet another “safe” seat. The electoral map looks good for Democrats in 2008; Republicans will be defending 21 Senate seats.
With dissatisfaction with President Bush, the many administration screw-ups and scandals, and the Iraq War, GOP candidates will be carrying a heavy load. Furthermore, party financial resources will be stretched thin.
It won’t be easy, but a Sparks candidacy could send Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, III back to Mobile and obscurity. I’m glad to know the DSCC is interested and getting involved this early. The fact that they’re paying attention to a candidate in Alabama is an indication of just how successful Democratic candidates can be in 2008. We’ll know the DSCC is truly serious when they start writing checks.
Run, Ron, Run!
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