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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Ron Sparks’ new ad for Alabama governor catches opponent Robert Bentley at what Bentley acknowledges was not his best moment in the campaign.
The Democrat’s ad shows Bentley at a candidate forum Aug. 26 in Arab. The candidates were debating Sparks’ plan to legalize a state lottery, like the one in Georgia, and use the proceeds to pay for pre-kindergarten programs and college scholarships for Alabama students.
“It’s your responsibility,” Bentley told the audience. “Why should the government have to pay for your child going to college? And not every child is going to college and not every child is supposed to go to college.”
Asked about Sparks’ ad Thursday, Bentley said, “Sometimes in a forum as you are speaking, sometimes things may come out different than the way you want them to come out.”
Sparks, the state agriculture commissioner, said the 30-second ad is designed to highlight one of the differences between him and his Republican opponent.
Bentley, a retired physician from Tuscaloosa, said he wants all children to go as far in school as they wish, but he also believes in being self-reliant.
“I want people to be able to get loans, get scholarships and work like I did. When I grew up and went to college, my parents had no money, so I am where I am today because of my personal sacrifice, their sacrifice and the hard work that I put into it. Anyone can do that,” he said.
He said that while attending the University of Alabama campuses in Tuscaloosa and Birmingham, he worked a variety of jobs, ranging from a surveying crew to a bait shop. He said his father sold the family’s 40 acres of land in Shelby County for $2,000 and used part of the money to help pay college expenses.
“I am self-reliant and want people to be self-reliant,” he said.
Bentley said a lottery would be “a detriment to the state,” but he would support Alabamians being able to vote on the issue if they were given all the facts up front.
Creating a lottery would require approval by the Legislature and then by Alabama voters in a statewide referendum. A governor could not veto a lottery because it would be a constitutional amendment.
Sparks, who went to Northeast Alabama Community College with the financial aid of the G.I. Bill, said he wants to provide lottery scholarships to both four-year colleges and technical schools. He also said he wants children to grow up with the expectation that they can pursue their education beyond high school regardless of their families’ income.
“They ought to have the chance,” he said.
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Sparks ad shows Bentley remarks on state lottery
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