Three Democratic nominees for statewide office addressed the South Baldwin Democrats during a recent meeting in Foley, making their pitches to local voters as the party fields candidates for every state office on the November ballot.
Violet Edwards, Ron Sparks and Phillip Ensler each spoke to the gathering despite a thunderstorm outside, presenting themselves as alternatives to Republican incumbents and challengers in what has long been a deeply Republican state.
Edwards Seeks to Bolster State Audit Department
Violet Edwards, a Madison County commissioner and the Democratic nominee for state auditor, outlined her vision for a more robust audit operation. She will face Republican incumbent Justin Sorrell, who has held the position since 2023.
“What I want to bring to you is a fully funded and a fully staffed audit department,” Edwards told the crowd. She pointed to what she described as a significant staffing shortfall, noting that nine auditors currently cover 190 offices statewide. “I’m not saying those nine people aren’t doing a good job; I’m saying they’re underfunded,” she said.
Sparks Aims to Revive Agriculture Department
Ron Sparks, who previously served as commissioner of agriculture and industries from 2003 to 2010, is seeking a return to the post. He faces Republican nominee Corey Hill, the mayor of Douglas. Incumbent Rick Pate vacated the seat to run for lieutenant governor but was eliminated in the Republican primary.
Sparks said he wants to restore the department to the condition he left it in. “We got to save the farmers in Alabama. We got to save the farmland in Alabama. We got to protect the consumers in Alabama,” Sparks said. He specifically cited concerns about fuel inspection, saying the state no longer has adequate inspectors or a functioning gas laboratory. “When they go buy a gallon of gas, they deserve to get a gallon of gas and that’s not what happens right now.”
Ensler Runs for Lieutenant Governor with Jones Alliance
State Rep. Phillip Ensler, who represents District 74 in the Alabama House, is running for lieutenant governor against Republican nominee John Wahl, former Alabama Republican Party chairman and chair of the state library board.
Ensler has been endorsed by former U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, who recruited him to run for the position. The two are campaigning as a coordinated ticket, with Jones running for governor against Republican U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville.
“Running for lieutenant governor means it’s a chance to continue serving,” Ensler said. “I’ve been doing it as a teacher, as a lawyer and as a legislator. It’s a chance to really continue to move things forward that are going to help people get more money in their pockets, expand access to healthcare.”
He described his relationship with Jones as a genuine partnership rather than two separate campaigns. “Right now, the governor and lieutenant governor operate pretty separately, but we really envision it as something where it would be a team,” Ensler said.