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Democratic gubernatorial candidate Ron Sparks is not ruling out making a Democratic bid for Congress in the 5th District.
That would not be a bad move on his part from this perspective. Despite his seeming inability to get traction in the race for Governor, he is a popular figure across a wide cross-section of the state’s demographics, including AEA, ALFA, and even crossover appeal among some Republicans, especially rural. He would likely clear the field of Democratic challengers and enjoy strong support from the considerable Democratic base in the district.
Even before the Griffith switch I wondered if Sparks might consider moving into a Congressional race against Rogers or Aderholt. It’s easy to imagine that unhappy, scorned Dems in CD-5 may embrace the opportunity to support a candidate of his stature against the incumbent who has now jilted them.
Who else might run? PSC Commissioner Susan Parker would be a possibility but the timing may be all wrong. Too bad for CD-5 Dems that the DCCC wouldn’t give her the time of day when she was interested in 2008. A Congressional campaign then would not have meant having to give up the PSC gig (one that by all accounts she truly enjoys) if she lost. Instead it put its resources into now-Republican Parker Griffith.
Deborah Paseur is mentioned as a possible candidate. Here is a list of candidates that were mentioned as possible candidates in 2008.
Who do you see running?
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Isn’t the Davis campaign going to murder Sparks for once again doing a back and forth over a political race? Sparks may have put himself on a one way street here.
Sparks “might consider moving into a Congressional race against Rogers or Aderholt” – how many residences does the man maintain?
[...] Ron Sparks Potential Candidate for AL-05 [...]
DCCC should have backed Susan Parker in 08. I think she will stay at the PSC.
I think that Sparks should really look at this race. He is from somewhere over there on Sand Mountain.
If Wayne Parker runs then he could give Griffith problems.
I find this all to be quite hilarious. This is all a preview of what 2010 will be like: COMPLETE CHAOS WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.
It also looks like Joe Turnham is losing control over his own party. I would NOT want to be in that man’s shoes right now.
Merry Christmas!
Sparks in AL-05 is a win/win for everyone. We avoid an expensive, divisive primary for governor and we get possibly the strongest candidate we could hope for in the 5th district.
It will be a competitive race, but I think Ron Sparks would win decisively. He’ll raise gobs of money from angry Democrats and his appeal in rural areas is undeniable.
He’s the guy we need. Parker Griffith has handed the Alabama Democratic Party a gift. I certainly hope he reflects on that when he loses his primary race next June.
If Sparks got in now he could raise some early money.
Doesn’t Sparks live in Fort Payne? That’s Aderholt’s district.
You don’t have to live in the district to run. Bright didn’t and moved.
Sorry to rain on the Dem’s parade but Ron Sparks does not live in CD 5. He lives in Fort Payne which is in DeKalb County, CD 4, Aderholt’s district. Although this is not illegal, it would be a weakness to his potential candidacy. Also, federal election law prohibits him from rolling any money raised by his gubernatorial campaign to a federal(congressional) campaign. This may not be a problem considering any big-name Dem challenger would surely recieve a huge monetary push from the DCCC and the Dems in Washington.
IMO, Susan Parker will not run b/c of hurt feelings due to her shaft from the DCCC in 08 and she has a cushy position at the PSC now. It is no secret that Paseur was looking for a higher office, this would be interesting b/c I am not sure that a non-Huntsville based candidate could carry the district. Also, I have heard rumblings that good ole Bud was so upset that he was considering running again.
My handicapping of the race on the Dem side is that IF Cramer or Sparks jumps in then the primary and general will be theirs to lose. Both have proven support from rural voters, unions, AEA, ALFA, moderate independents, and the financial backing of the DCCC. Susan Parker, Deborah Bell Paseur, and Randy Hinshaw COULD make it a close race but I think all three of them will lose in the general.
As far as the GOP side, it will be interesting to see if Griffith can convince enough Republicans that he is more than just a turncoat scoundrel, he will surely have the support of the NRCC and the DC GOP. He could, and a crowded primary helps his chances. He will win the outlying rural counties(Lauderdale, Jackson, Lawrence, and Colbert) handidly, but the vast majority of the GOP primary vote comes from the urban and suburban areas of Madison, Morgan, and Limestone counties. The real question is whether he can convince enough Arsenal defense workers, Hampton Cove housewives, and young affluent Madison couples that he is the genuine article. If he wins the primary, he is in a very strong position for the general.
Mo Brooks is the current GOP frontrunner to challenge Griffith. He has the money and connections but is often seen as unlikeable and disagreeable, it remains to be seen if he can expand his power base outside South Huntsville. Les Phillip is very charismatic and has a great story but the GOP power brokers are holding back as of now to see if he has a chance, money is also a big struggle for him. I think Wayne should stay out of this one, his money base has already solidified around Brooks and I doubt the 4th time will be the charm. Guthrie does not need to even try. Slyman and Dr. Mancuso could be longshots, but no one really knows much about them. This will all be very interesting…
This is another good example of Ronnie Sparks being a lost ball in high weeds! It was Lt. Governor, then Governor, and now maybe Congress. Why don’t he just put his name on the ballot for every State and Federal Office, and just choose the one he wants, among the one’s he wins? Sparks can’t win that one either. The best thing than could happen to Griffith would be for Sparks to jump into the race. I think Sparks profound stand for OBAMA CARE, will kill him in any of the Congressional Districts, with the exception of maybe Davis seat.
Maybe Ronnie could join the GOP, he hasn’t tried that avenue yet!!!
Ron Sparks is trying to find a race he may be able to win. It certainly isn’t the gubernatorial race, and he’ll get his butt kicked in a Congressional race.
Sorry, Ron. You’ve really screwed up. People have gotten to know the real you on the campaign trail, so you may have to get a real job in the private sector. That must be a scary thought for a career democrat.
sparks has no chance at governor – or congress. so long ronnie!
Good analysis, Young GOP.
I can’t forget that Ron Sparks (spit) posted at the Daily Kos soon after Kos said “screw them” about Americans killed in Iraq. Either Sparks was ignorant or disgusting – both traits are bad in a Congressman…
Good grief–Sparks is going to be the punch line for every joke in political circles in AL for years to come.
Young GOP, I agree wqith Reactionary — good analysis. I have serious doubts about Sparks jumping into the CD5 race. Contrary to the CW, Sparks does not drive his own train. At this point, he has sold out to a handful of special interests and lobbyists that want a viable alternative to Davis. I’m not sure that Sparks fits the criteria, but these backers are so heavily invested in him now, there is little chance he will jump ship for CD5. Folks need to keep in mind that AEA doesn’t play in federal races, so those supporters won’t help him in CD5, and if he jumps ship, he kisses any future state-wide abitions goodbye.
Heard the Democrarts has settled on Stacy George as their candidate for CD5.
He’ll be the new face of Alabama Democrat Politics
I was reminded of this reading a comment on Flashpoint, but the other thing to remember for the GOP primary in District 5 is Alabama has open primaries–voters do not have to be registered to vote in a particular primary. Local elections (sheriff, DA, county commission) in many counties coincide with the state quadrennium–when the gov. & legislature are up, they are up as well. In most of the counties in North Aalabma, these are still Democrats. Also, most of the voters in counties such as Jackson, Lawrence, Lauderdale, and Colbert vote in the Democratic primary–they will not be voting in the primary Griffith is in.
For the Republican race, the primary is centered on Huntsville-Madison County and Athens–Griffith has to win these voters over to have a shot in the primary.
Sparks won every county in the 5th Cong Dst. during both his 02 and 06 statewide victories. He’s the obvious choice. Sparks running for Congress will save Davis a couple of million because a contested primary costs money regardless. If I were Artur Davis, I would be on the horn right now with the DCCC encouraging them to anoint my new best friend Ron Sparks.
i hope sparks stays in the gov race so artur does not have a free ride…financially or otherwise.