Midland businessman Kevin Sparks has launched his campaign for State Senate in Texas’ 31st Senate District.

On Friday, Sparks announced his campaign for the State Senate seat currently held by Sen. Kel Seliger (R-Amarillo). Sparks highlighted conservative priorities in his campaign announcement, saying that West Texas should elect a Senator who supports conservative values.

“At a time when far-left activists seek to nationalize our elections, indoctrinate our kids with so-called critical race theory, and surrender our southern border to the drug cartels, the hard-working families of Senate District 31 deserve a state senator who will proudly defend our conservative values,” Sparks said.

Sparks’ highlighting of conservative priorities is in contrast to the incumbent Seliger, who some pundits have described as being the most liberal of the presently serving Republicans in the State Senate.

Seliger has not yet stated whether he will seek re-election. Thus far, Sparks is only the second candidate in the race, which also includes Coahoma ISD Trustee Stormy Bradley. Candidates can file beginning in November for the primary, which will likely be held in the spring.