Democratic candidate in House District 4 responds to attacks on his ethnicity

August `8, 2026 – MADISON, Ala. = Hanu Karlapalem came out out swinging against what he feels are attacks on naturalized citizens. Karlapalem is the Democratic nominee in House District 4 challenging Republican incumbent Parker Moore.

"I am a U.S. citizen - full stop, no asterisk. My record with the Limestone County NAACP speaks for itself. No one gets to demand that I disavow who I am to prove I belong here," Karlapalem said.

Karlapalem slammed internet social media posts by former GOP candidate Tom Fredricks, a Priceville businessman and former NASA engineer. Fredricks lost to Parker Moore in 2018 for the District 4 seat.

In a social media post, Fredricks brought up India's caste system and said that Karlapalem should "disavow" his heritage before discussing civil rights. Fredricks when confronted by Karlapalem did not retract his comments.

"When confronted directly, instead of correcting the record, he doubled down and mocked it," Karlapalem said. "That tells you everything you need to know."

Karlapalem noted the comments echo the same rhetoric behind SB21, legislation that would bar naturalized citizens from holding state office in Alabama - a bill that directly targets his own eligibility to serve.

The Kaelapalem campaign claims that language Fredricks quoted in his post is drawn directly from Karlapalem's own previously published op-ed on SB21, which also prompted a Decatur Daily editorial condemning the bill as creating "second-class citizens."

"Naturalized citizens already serve at the highest levels of American government, including within the Republican Party itself," Karlapalem said. "Moreno of Ohio is a naturalized citizen. So is Lawrence County's own Sheriff Max Sanders. SB21 would end careers like theirs. This isn't a hypothetical. It's already happening to people serving their communities right now."

"As an U.S. Air Force veteran, a Life Member and former President of NAACP Alabama State Conference, and as Hanu's Campaign Chair, I am very aware of his strong record of fighting for civil and human rights and equality for all people, and his record is solid," said Benard Simelton, Campaign Chairman. "Mr. Fredricks' comments are a direct attack on what Hanu's campaign is all about, and Mr. Fredricks should apologize for making such racist statements - unless that is really what he believes. Also, Rep. Parker Moore should repudiate the comments of Mr. Fredricks and go on record of supporting an Alabama for all the people."

"Parker Moore has said nothing about SB21, and now a prominent figure in his own party has attacked me in explicitly racist terms. Silence is a choice," Karlapalem said. "This isn't an isolated incident - it's part of a pattern from Alabama's Republican supermajority: dismiss constituents, dodge debates, and now attack a candidate's citizenship instead of his record. Alabama Republican leadership should be on notice: constituents are watching, and this kind of rhetoric from prominent party figures needs to stop."

Karlapalem vowed to overturn the Republican supermajority in the Alabama House of Representatives on November 3 and lower the cost of living while building stronger public schools, and real healthcare.

Karlapalem has lived in Madison, Alabama for 26 years where he is a small technology business owner. He has a master's degree from UAH and is the former Second Vice President of the Limestone County NAACP. He has been married for 31 years.

Alabama State House District 4, includes parts of Morgan, Limestone, and Madison Counties. Hanu Karlapalem is the Democratic nominee. He faces Republican incumbent Rep. Parker Moore (R-Decatur).

Democrats have targeted several legislative seats in Madison County, which they view as a county and region that is ripe for a Democratic Party takeover.

To comment or to ask a question email: brandonmreporter@gmail.com