From Humble Beginnings, A Committment To Public Service
Ron Sparks was born and raised in Fort Payne, Alabama. While in high school, he worked in the area’s sock mills. After graduation, Sparks joined the Coast Guard, where he served with distinction and received numerous commendations and letters of merit. After leaving the Coast Guard, Sparks graduated from Northeast State Community College.
Ron Sparks’ political career got off to a rousing start in 1978, when, at age 24, he became one of the youngest County Commissioners ever elected in Alabama. From that point, he has served the state in a variety of public roles:
- Director of the DeKalb County 911 System. Sparks was appointed in 1993 and supervised the design and implementation of the on-line 911 program.
- State President of Alabama 911. Sparks was elected in 1998.
- Assistant Commissioner of Agriculture & Industries. Sparks was appointed to this position in 1999 and was responsible for the day-to-day operations of the department.
Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks
In 2002, Alabama voters overwhelmingly elected Sparks as Agriculture Commissioner by a 51-46 margin. Sparks won 54 out of 67 counties.
Obviously, the voters liked what they saw. In 2006, he won a landslide 59-41 victory over his Republican opponent. Sparks also increased his county-by-county support, winning 62 of the state’s 67 counties.
Increasing Trade and Protecting Consumers
Ron Sparks is credited with modernizing the Department of Agriculture & Industries. From the beginning, he was committed to assembling a team of bright, committed public servants who were representative of Alabama’s diversity.
During his first term, Sparks was instrumental in securing new markets in Cuba, improving the abysmal state of Alabama’s school lunch system (raising its score from (F to a B+), and worked to protect Alabama’s water resources.
He’s now working to protect the safety and security of Alabama’s food supply and residents:
- Stop Sale order on imported catfish.
- Youth Initiative 2007. Implementing “Buy Alabama” products program in disadvantaged communities.
- Alabama Alternative Energy Committee. In partnership with Alabama Governor Bob Riley, Sparks announced the formation of a committee charged with developing a comprehensive alternative energy policy for the state. Sparks understands that energy is a national security issue.
Ron Sparks is term-limited as Agriculture Commissioner and many, many Alabama residents would love to see him become Alabama’s next United States Senator.
Why We Need Ron Sparks in the Senate
Our current senator, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, III, has a track record of voting with the Bush Administration over 95% of the time. He’s a leading backer of proposals to privatize Social Security and repeal the Estate Tax (which would benefit approximately 1% of Alabama residents, many of whom are Sessions’ most ardent supporters).
While Senator Jefferson Beauregard Sessions is fighting valiantly to protect his wealthy contributors in Washington, he’s forgotten about the 99% of Alabama residents who aren’t looking forward to financial security through inheritance. We need a senator who understands what it’s like to struggle to make a mortgage payment, face job loss or pay cuts if we try to take time off to care for sick kids or elderly relatives, and worry about losing our jobs overseas – even as Sessions cheerleads for more tax breaks for the rich.
Isn’t about time to elect a Senator who cares about the rest of us? A man who’s proud of the Democratic Party and it’s role in fighting poverty, injustice, and centralization of corporate power? A man who cares about Alabama?
Yes. Alabama NEEDS Ron Sparks in the US Senate!
