Daniel H. Sparks | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Mississippi Senate from the 5th district | |
| Assumed office January 7, 2020 | |
| Preceded by | J. P. Wilemon |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Cleveland, MS, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Alma mater | Northeast Mississippi Community College (BS) University of Mississippi (MTax) University of Mississippi School of Law (JD) |
| Occupation | Attorney, adjunct professor |
Daniel H. Sparks (born 1974) is an American politician and attorney who has served in the Mississippi State Senate from the 5th district since 2020.
Early life and education
Sparks was born in Cleveland and grew up in Belmont as the son of a third-grade teacher and a preacher.[1][2] He attended Belmont High School.[1] Afterwards, he attended Northeast Mississippi College and later graduated from the University of Mississippi with a bachelor's degree in Accountancy. He went on to get a Master of Taxation in 2005 at the University of Mississippi and his Juris Doctor in 2008 at the University of Mississippi School of Law.[3]
Career
Sparks worked in the wholesale grocery business for seven years, which he states is what inspired him to return to the University of Mississippi to continue his education.[2] As an attorney, he founded his own practice, Sparks Law Firm, and became an adjunct professor at the University of Mississippi where he taught business law.[2]
Upon the death of Alan Nunnelee, Sparks ran in the 2015 special election for Mississippi's 1st congressional district, where he got 3.2% of the vote.[4]
In 2019, he ran in the Mississippi State Senate election for the 5th district. He secured 53.0% of the vote in the Republican primary and 72.1% in the general election; he assumed office on January 7, 2020.[4] As a Senator, he serves as the Vice-Chair of the Corrections Committee and is a member on the following committees: Business and Financial Institutions; Drug Policy; Economic and Workforce Development; Finance; Forestry; Judiciary, Division B; Universities and Colleges; and Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks.[1]
Political Positions
Sparks voted against a bill to change the Mississippi state flag.[5]
Personal life
Sparks is a member of the NRA, Police Benevolent Association, Mississippi Bar Association, and the Federalist Society.[1] He resides in Belmont, MS and is a member of the Liberty Church of Christ.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Daniel Sparks". billstatus.ls.state.ms.us. Archived from the original on 2021-05-16. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- 1 2 3 Guajardo, Rod (May 1, 2015). "Sparks applying for job of 1st District congressman". Daily Journal. Archived from the original on 2020-10-16. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- ↑ "The Voter's Self Defense System". Vote Smart. Archived from the original on 2000-03-02. Retrieved October 10, 2020.
- 1 2 "Daniel Sparks (Mississippi) - Ballotpedia". Ballotpedia. Archived from the original on 2015-03-22. Retrieved 2020-10-10.
- ↑ Lee, China (June 28, 2020). "Find out how each lawmaker voted on bill to change state flag". WLBT News. Archived from the original on 2020-06-29. Retrieved October 10, 2020.