NRI PULSE STAFF REPORT
MADISON, Ala., May 12, 2026: Hanu Karlapalem, the Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 4, has accused Alabama’s Republican supermajority of undermining voting rights after lawmakers passed two controversial election bills during a recent special session.
In a statement released Tuesday, Karlapalem said he personally witnessed what he described as a troubling moment inside the Alabama Statehouse while legislators debated SB1 and HB1—bills he says could overturn the results of the May 19 primary in districts redrawn under federal court orders to improve minority representation.
“I stood inside the Alabama Statehouse with two veterans who served this country with honor,” Karlapalem said, naming retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Benard Simelton and retired U.S. Army veteran Stanley McCrary. “We watched any pretense of democracy in Alabama coming apart.”
Karlapalem alleged that while Black Democratic lawmakers spoke on the House and Senate floors in support of fair voting maps and equal representation, members of the Republican majority appeared disengaged.
“Members of the Republican supermajority talked loudly among themselves… checked their phones, laughed—condescending, dismissive, disrespectful,” he said.
According to Karlapalem, the Legislature moved ahead with the bills even after absentee ballots had already been mailed—and in some cases returned—by voters in affected districts. He called the legislation “a mass voter purge” and accused lawmakers of trying to silence minority communities.
Karlapalem also criticized his Republican opponent, Parker Moore, saying Moore has ignored debate invitations and failed to respond to concerns about voting rights legislation.
“Moore does not answer to the people of District 4. He answers to the supermajority,” Karlapalem said.
The Madison resident, small business owner, and graduate of the University of Alabama in Huntsville said Alabama lawmakers have focused on political power instead of addressing issues affecting everyday families, including rising costs, public school funding, and healthcare.
Karlapalem is running to represent House District 4, which includes parts of Madison, Limestone, and Morgan counties, in the November 3 general election.
