Sparks says Davis broke finance rules

MONTGOMERY - It looks like the gloves are coming off in the 2010 Democratic gubernatorial primary race, and it's not even the official campaign season.

Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks said Friday that U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, of Birmingham, broke campaign finance laws for using money from congressional fundraisers for his gubernatorial bid before June 1.

June 1 is the first day candidates can legally begin raising campaign money.

Davis and Sparks have both said they running for governor in 2010.

"He has broken the law; he violated the law," Sparks said in an interview. "How can you run around having congressional fundraisers, not filing with the secretary of state and handing the money over to your campaign, and he's the guy coming out talking about ethics?"

Davis campaign spokeswoman Anna Ruth Williams said Davis stopped congressional fundraising and filed his campaign papers with the secretary of state last week as soon as he realized his campaign had passed the $25,000 spending threshold that mandates filing.

"We weren't doing any gubernatorial fundraising," Williams said.

She also released a statement about Sparks' reaction.

"Obviously, Ron Sparks is frustrated that even Democratic insiders in Montgomery are furiously abandoning him to try to find another 'stop Davis' candidate," the statement notes.

"Perhaps if Mr. Sparks laid out a vision for Alabama instead of making outlandish, uninformed statements about campaign finance law, he might win some supporters."

Davis also briefly discussed Sparks' reaction. He said it's unfortunate Sparks "has already decided his best path to victory is a negative campaign. If Ron takes time to look at Alabama campaign finance law and federal law, he will realize that his statements are flat wrong."

Williams suggested Sparks call the attorney general's office or the secretary of state's office to learn campaign finance law.

Sparks said Davis "has been in Washington too long."

"He violated the law and I refuse to violate the law," Sparks said. "Congressman Davis may razzle dazzle a few folks in Washington, but it's not going to work in Alabama."

State Sen. Roger Bedford, D-Russellville, is considering a run for governor.

This week, Sparks and Bedford said Alabama Chief Justice Sue Bell Cobb talked to them about the governor's race.

There will not be an incumbent in the race since Republican two-term Gov. Bob Riley is prohibited by law from seeking a third consecutive term.

Dana Beyerle can be reached at (334) 264-6605.