Democratic candidate Ron Sparks blanketed the Black Belt Thursday and visited voters at Selma City Hall.

The tour, which Sparks said also took him to Hayneville, Camden and Greensboro, is a buildup to what he calls “one the most important elections of our lifetime.”

After taking his position on the steps of city hall, Sparks spotted a group of Ellwood Christian School seniors to his right. Seeing students interested in t he election, he said, was very encouraging.

“It’s good to see these seniors here because that’s what this state is all about. This is our future,” he said. “This is why I am running for governor, because I want to make sure ever child who stays in school, and stays out of trouble, and walks across that graduation stage gets a diploma in one hand and is given a scholarship in the other hand.”

Sparks told the students and others gathered education is a top priority. He stressed the importance of regulating gambling to work toward an education and Medicaid fund.

“As governor, not only will I push for a lottery, I’ll fight for a lottery,” he said. “I’m tired of sending Alabama money to Tennessee, Georgia, Florida and Mississippi. Our children deserve the same quality education that those children in other state’s get.”

If elected, Sparks also said he would be in favor of placing a casino in Selma on the Alabama River.

Healthcare, Sparks said, is another topic he is very passionate about.

“Everybody deserves affordable healthcare,” he said. “The bottom line is, it’s our responsibility in Alabama to pass laws and procedures so we can stay in control of our healthcare. I want Alabama running our healthcare program.”

Selma Mayor George Evans said he was pleased to host the Democratic candidate at City Hall.

“I am so proud of the fact that he stopped by here,” Evans said. “He has proven that he can make a difference. I would encourage everyone to go out and vote Nov. 2 in record numbers to make sure we don’t allow anything to happen to change the momentum we have to make our state the best in the country.”

Sen. Hank Sanders, who Sparks said has been one of his biggest allies in Montgomery, said he admires Sparks’ fro sticking to his guns.

“Ron Sparks has courage and you need courage in a statewide leader,” he said. “There are all kinds of forces pulling at him and he had enough courage to lead a delegation to Africa to increase the economy here and there. He had enough courage to go to India, Brazil. Argentina and Cuba. A lot of business has come into Alabama because of that.”

If he is elected Tuesday, Sparks said he plans to keep an open pipeline between Dallas County and the state capitol.

“It has been an honor to come to Selma and work on special projects on many occasions,” he said. “I know where Selma is. This isn’t my first trip and it won’t be my last trip back to Dallas County.”