A former aide to Gov. Kay Ivey has announced his campaign for House District 74.
Daniel Sparkman, Ivey’s press secretary until last week when he resigned to run for the seat, announced Wednesday he would campaign for the seat formerly held by the late Rep. Dimitri Polizos.
Polizos died suddenly last month from a heart attack.
Sparkman has worked in the governor’s office for the past five years, serving as assistant press secretary and press secretary to Ivey and in other roles for former Gov. Robert Bentley.
“I have a heart for public service,” Sparkman said in a statement. “Throughout my life, I have found the most joy when I was working with people in our community. That is where I feel most at home. I am entering this race to be an advocate for my neighbors and to improve the community we all call home.”
Prior to his service in state government, Sparkman spent the first 11 years of his career as a journalist, working in local television news at WVUA in Tuscaloosa and at WSFA in Montgomery.
Sparkman is a graduate of Booker T. Washington Magnet High School in Montgomery, and he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Alabama, where he double-majored in journalism and political science.
He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration from Auburn University at Montgomery.
“I want to ensure that the concerns of my neighbors are heard, and their needs are being met,” Sparkman said. “Doing that means making sure our schools are receiving the resources they need, continuing to attract more jobs for our citizens, and being conservative with hard-earned tax-payer dollars. I am not afraid to make the tough decisions which will better Alabama for years to come.”
Sparkman is married to Abby Hodge Sparkman.
The couple has one son, who was born in January. They are members of Montgomery’s First United Methodist Church. Daniel and Abby serve on the Advisory Team of Mary Ellen’s Hearth, a non-profit organization in Montgomery offering hope, help and healing to homeless women and their children.
Sparkman said he hopes to live up to Polizos’ example as a representative for the Montgomery legislative district.
“Representative Polizos left a lasting impact on our district, and I will strive daily, if elected, to live up to the high standard he set.”
