Alabama Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks (D) said Tuesday that he is continuing his 2010 campaign for governor and declining entreaties from some party officials to challenge party-switching Rep. Parker Griffith (R) in the 5th district.

Sparks planned several news conferences Tuesday to announce his decision and also told the Associated Press, “I made a commitment to the people of Alabama when I decided to run for governor.” Sparks is vying to succeed term-limited Gov. Bob Riley (R).

Sparks said Dec. 23 that he was “considering all options” after receiving a telephone call about the Alabama 5 race from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, the campaign arm of House Democrats.