VoteVets Backs Ron Sparks for Agriculture Post

Former Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks has picked up the endorsement of VoteVets, a national Veterans advocacy and political organization, as he campaigns for a third, non-consecutive term as Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries. VoteVets is a network of roughly 1.5 million supporters that works to elect military Veterans to public office.

Sparks, who served two terms as Alabama's agriculture commissioner from 2003 through 2011, welcomed the endorsement and said it reflects growing support for his campaign's focus on Alabama farmers.

"I want to thank VoteVets for their endorsement and their confidence in my campaign for Commissioner of Agriculture. I feel the people of Alabama responding to our message of service and this endorsement reinforces our campaign's strong focus on helping our farmers and the people of Alabama," Sparks said.

He also pointed to his military background as part of the foundation for his record in office.

"I'm proud of my service to our country and I firmly believe that the leadership skills I acquired as a member of the Coast Guard Honor Guard guided our work in creating a strong record of success during my tenure as Commissioner."

Sparks announced his candidacy in January, saying he decided to seek another term because of what he described as worsening conditions for Alabama agriculture. He has argued that farmers across the State are facing shrinking markets, lower commodity prices, and sharply rising production costs.

"Farmers are hurting in Alabama," Sparks said. "I have folks calling me every day from every part of this state. Many of them are on the verge of going broke. Markets have dried up. Crop prices are down while production costs have skyrocketed. I cannot sit back while people need help knowing I have the experience needed to solve these challenges. There's no substitute for 8 successful years leading the Department. My record as a twice-elected Commissioner of Agriculture in this state is out there for everyone to see. I'm proud of our success in making Alabama's Department of Agriculture one of the best Departments of Agriculture in the United States, and I want to see that again for our farmers. I'm ready on Day 1 to implement solutions that will bring economic stability back to Alabama agriculture."

In addition to the VoteVets endorsement, the Sparks campaign said it has also received the backing of Tommy Paulk, retired Chief Executive Officer of Alabama Farmers Cooperative, the American Federation of Government Employees, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Teddy Gentry, a founding member of the band Alabama.

Sparks is the Democratic nominee in the race for Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture and Industries.

For more information, visit https://sparks2026.com.