Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks is headed for the general election in Alabama, as he defeated the person most observers expected to win the Democratic gubernatorial nomination, Rep. Artur Davis. Sparks led 65-35 percent with nearly 60 percent of the votes counted when the AP called the race.

The winner will likely have to await the Republican challenger, as Tim James, Bradley Byrne and Robert Bentley were all within 1 point of each other. With no one taking more than 26% so far, the top two finishers will need to move on to a July 13 runoff.

Davis left behind a safe congressional district and was hoping to become the state's first black governor -- more than a lofty goal in the state still scarred by its racial history.

Noting that many had questioned his decision to leave behind his seat for such a challenge, Davis, in December, replied: "Something is stirring in Alabama right now."

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