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Sparks, Davis speak to Democrats in Madison County

By Eric Sollman – bio | email

HUNTSVILLE, AL (WAFF) -Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks, and Congressman Artur Davis met up in the Rocket City Thursday.

Both are candidates who want the Democratic party's nomination for Governor in Alabama.

Sparks wants to make it clear where he stands on healthcare.

"If you listen to my opponent he'll tell you three or four stories about where I stand. I've said we've needed affordable healthcare from day one," said Sparks. 

His opponent, Congressman Artur Davis, said Sparks is the one contradicting himself.

"I think Ron [Sparks] needs to take the time to read the bill. I'm for health care reform, but I want to see the right health care reform," said Davis. 

Davis, along with all of Alabama's Congressmen voted against the House Health Care proposal, however health care isn't the only hot topic these two are disputing. 

Gambling, and another year of proration in state education are just two of the realities confronting these candidates.

Sparks said gambling is already in Alabama.

"We need to tax it, we need to control it, we need a state-wide gaming commission and we need to take that money and put it toward education," Sparks said. 

Davis thinks every community should get to make it's own choice on gambling.

"I think every community should get to make it's own choice on gambling, but what I'm not going to do if I become governor of this state is get on a crusade to expand gambling to every corner of Alabama," Davis added. 

While these two go at it on the Democratic side, there are several Republicans running for governor in the upcoming primaries.

WAFF 48 News will cover Republican forums in North Alabama as well.

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