Sparks leads Dems for governor; GOP bunched up

MONTGOMERY, Ala. - Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks has posted a big lead over U.S. Rep. Artur Davis in the Democratic primary for governor, while four candidates are bunched up in the race for the Republican nomination.

With 43 percent of the precincts reporting Tuesday evening, Sparks has 65 percent of the Democratic vote to 35 percent for Davis, seeking to be the first African-American to win the party's nomination for governor.

In the crowded Republican field, former two-year college chancellor Bradley Byrne, Greenville developer Tim James and Tuscaloosa physician Robert Bentley are in a tight race, with about 26 percent each. Former Chief Justice Roy Moore is polling 20 percent.

The top two in the GOP fight will advance to a runoff July 13.

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