Former Alabama GOP Attorney General Troy King Crosses Party Lines to Endorse Democrat Ron Sparks Over Republican Corey Hill

 By Christopher M Peeks

September 07, 2026

Former Alabama GOP Attorney General Troy King has crossed party lines to endorse Democratic Agriculture Commissioner candidate Ron Sparks against Republican Corey Hill, proclaiming that “what this country needs right now more than anything is for all of us to come together and put our state, our country, our people first ahead of politics.”

King, a lifelong Republican who “invested buckets of sweat building the Republican party,” served alongside Sparks during their terms in statewide office from 2003 to 2011.

Explaining his decision in his first interview since making the announcement on the BCS State of Alabama podcast, King made it clear the endorsement was about merit rather than party lines: “I’m not doing this because I don’t support Corey Hill; I’m doing it because I do support Ron Sparks. I’m afraid the problem in our country right now is that we too often are voting against something or we’re voting to oppose somebody. I came out because I believe in Ron Sparks. I know what Ron Sparks did when he was Agriculture Commissioner; I was there.”

The endorsement comes at a crucial time. Privately, GOP insiders speaking on condition of anonymity expressed concern that Sparks holds an edge, with polling showing the race in a dead heat.

With less than 60 days until the election, this appears to be the most competitive Democratic ticket since then-Congressman Bob Riley defeated incumbent Democratic Governor Don Siegelman in 2002.

King—a popular figure in the Wiregrass who earned over 60% of the vote in each of his three campaigns for attorney general—could sway key swing voters to Sparks.

Whether King’s cross-party backing is enough to tip the scales remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Alabama’s agriculture race just became the one to watch.

The full Troy King interview on the Alabama Political Contributor may be seen on YouTube and below:

The above originally appeared in the Alabama Political Contributor. It is reprinted here, with minor editorial changes, by permission of the author.

Christopher M. Peeks is a Reporter, Columnist and Alabama Political Contributor.