Sparks Beats Davis in Alabama

Ron Sparks, agriculture commissioner of Alabama, has defeated Rep. Artur Davis in the Democratic race for governor in Alabama. Davis was in the running to become the state’s first black governor, but major black political groups threw their support behind his opponent, who is white. Davis attempted to appeal to moderate voters and campaigned on a platform similar to Barack Obama’s presidential race—that of change and unifying white and black voters. The GOP also held a tightly contested race among seven members running for governor. Its top two candidates will face off in a special election on July 13.