Alabama gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis (D) has called on primary opponent Ron Sparks to denounce race-tinged campaign tactics.
A recent letter from a Sparks support to state Democrats asked “Can Artur Davis get 30% of the white vote in Alabama?” Davis, who is black, said the “Sparks campaign better distance itself from it or we have to assume they are driving it.”
The TPM Poll Average gives Davis a lead of 38.0%-28.0% over Sparks in the Democratic primary, which will be held on June 1.
In an interview on Good Day Alabama, Davis said his staff intercepted the letter from a Sparks supporter in Mobile, Alabama. The letter was being sent to a number of prominent local Democrats. Davis said the letter is part of a greater push by special interests to question his ability to win because he is black.
“That’s not even coded. That’s not even implied.” said Davis of the letter. “That is an explicit statement that race ought to be a disqualifying factor in the Democratic Primary. We should be 75 years past that kind of politics.”
He continued that the “Sparks campaign better distance itself from it or we have to assume they are driving it.”
Watch:
According to WBRC, a local Fox affiliate, a Sparks spokesman responded to Davis’ remarks:
This is a despicable and irresponsible charge by a desperate Artur Davis. Race has no place in any campaign. Artur Davis is unelectable in November because he is a lousy congressman who voted with banks, insurance companies and credit card companies against the people of Alabama.
