NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
Madison, AL, July 20, 2026 — Hanu Karlapalem, the Democratic nominee for Alabama State House District 4, has received the endorsement of the 314 Action Fund, a national political organization that backs candidates with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), his campaign announced Saturday.
The endorsement comes as Karlapalem seeks to unseat two-term Republican incumbent Rep. Parker Moore in the Nov. 3 general election. According to the campaign, the endorsement reflects Karlapalem’s decades-long career in engineering, information technology, cloud computing, and cybersecurity.
Karlapalem, founder and CEO of Madison-based technology services company Vinhamz Inc., has spent more than 35 years as a small business owner, including over 18 years in IT systems, cloud computing, and cybersecurity. Earlier in his career, he operated businesses focused on air purification, pollution control systems, industrial lighting, and oil reclamation.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Delhi College of Engineering (now Delhi Technological University) and a master’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Alabama in Huntsville. His campaign said the endorsement underscores its argument that District 4 needs a legislator with technical expertise to address issues ranging from artificial intelligence infrastructure to state budgeting.
“This is not about politics. This is about competence,” Karlapalem said in a statement, adding that his experience solving complex technical problems would shape his approach to serving in the Alabama Legislature.
The campaign also noted that Karlapalem previously received the 2026 Gun Sense Candidate Distinction Award from Moms Demand Action and has been endorsed by the Alabama Democratic County Party Chairs Association.
Karlapalem emphasized that his campaign has not accepted political action committee (PAC) contributions, saying all campaign donations have come from individual supporters. He described the 314 Action Fund endorsement as recognition of his qualifications rather than financial support.
In the statement, the campaign also outlined its broader platform, pledging to focus on lowering costs, strengthening public schools, expanding healthcare access, and encouraging voter participation ahead of the November election.
A Madison resident for 26 years, Karlapalem is a Life Member and former Second Vice President of the Limestone County NAACP. His campaign says he has been active in civic engagement, voting rights advocacy, and community service throughout North Alabama.
