Story By Heath Hambrick

Fort Payne native and former Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks is looking at another run at political office. 

Sparks was the Agriculture Commissioner for the state of Alabama from 2003 to 2011, when his term ended due to the two-term limit. In 2010, Sparks ran for governor, winning the Democratic nomination but ultimately being defeated by Robert Bentley in the general election. 

Sparks informed the Times-Journal that he has engaged in several positive discussions with farmers and agricultural groups from across Alabama regarding his potential candidacy for the office of Agriculture Commissioner, a position he previously held.

“I never thought that I would run for political office again. I had a great career, and I was very thankful to serve the people of Alabama,” said Sparks. 

Several issues affecting our farmers and the state need to be addressed.

“Since leaving office, we as a state have done away with the Law Enforcement Unit at the Department of Ag, and that is something that I don’t understand. With farmers still losing cattle and their equipment, they have no one to call with the Law enforcement unit,” said Sparks. 

The food safety program in Alabama is another concern of Sparks'. 

“Products that come into our state from foreign countries are very concerning to me. I stopped those products from coming into Alabama before, and we must continue to do that,” said Sparks. 

Qualifying for both the Democratic and Republican parties begins this month for the 2026 election. 

“I love the Department of Ag, it is where my heart is. I love the Farmers of this State,” said Sparks. “I’m in good health, and I feel like I have another run in me.”

For Sparks, a formal decision should come by the end of this week.