Alabama AFL-CIO endorses Karlapalem in House District 4

The Alabama AFL-CIO has endorsed Democrat Hanu Karlapalem in his bid to unseat Republican State Rep. Parker Moore in Alabama House District 4.

Karlapalem announced the endorsement following the labor federation’s special convention in Montgomery this week. The Alabama AFL-CIO represents affiliated unions and advocates for workers on state and local issues. Its special convention was held Aug. 2-3 at the Renaissance Montgomery Hotel and Convention Center.

“This endorsement represents working families across my district and our state. I was proud to speak with them in Montgomery on Monday, and I am proud to have their support heading into November. Let’s get to work and win this race,” Karlapalem said.

Karlapalem, the Democratic nominee, will face Moore in the Nov. 3 general election. Both candidates were unopposed in their May 19 party primaries. House District 4 includes parts of Madison, Limestone and Morgan Counties.

Karlapalem addressed delegates at the AFL-CIO convention Monday, using his speech to link labor issues with his broader campaign message on wages, voting rights, corporate incentives and the rapid growth of data centers in Alabama.

“For the supermajority swamp here in Montgomery, big money donors come first and labor comes last,” Karlapalem told delegates, according to his campaign.

He also argued that voting rights and the economic power of workers are closely linked.

“Gerrymandered districts and suppressed wages come from the same source,” Karlapalem told the convention. “When working families lose their voice at the ballot box, they lose it at the bargaining table too.”

Karlapalem also turned his attention to corporate subsidies and the debate over large AI data centers, an issue that has become increasingly prominent across Alabama.

“You’re partners at the table, not political punching bags,” Karlapalem said. “That means real transparency on the billions Alabama hands to corporations in subsidies — including the AI data centers. And it means solidarity — an injury to one is an injury to all. When our own neighbors raised concerns on data centers in my District 4, my opponent Parker Moore dismissed them as ‘foreign disinformation.’ I call that his AI – Arrogant Ignorance.”

The AFL-CIO endorsement is the latest in a series of organizational endorsements and distinctions for Karlapalem. His campaign says he has also been endorsed by the Alabama Democratic County Party Chairs Association, 314 Action Fund and Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund. He has received the Moms Demand Action Gun Sense Candidate distinction.

Karlapalem has sought to draw a sharp contrast with Moore, including over campaign funding and education policy.

Moore signed the Moms for Liberty Parental Rights Pledge in 2025. The pledge commits signers to support parental control over education, medical care and the moral upbringing of children, while backing greater transparency and limits on government power.

Karlapalem has also attacked Moore over his reliance on political action committee money. Karlapalem’s campaign has cited State campaign finance records showing Moore received $79,500 from 48 special-interest contributors, including builder and real estate PACs. That figure was also reported in June during a dispute between the candidates over housing costs in Madison.

The Democrat has been trying for months to get Moore on a debate stage.

At his April campaign kickoff, Karlapalem challenged Moore to three debates — one each in Limestone, Madison and Morgan counties. Moore had not responded to the challenge at the time of this writing, according Karlapalem’s campaign.

Karlapalem is running on a platform he calls “An Alabama We Can Afford,” centered on household costs, public schools, health care and government accountability.

“An Alabama We Can Afford means we get ahead of these decisions instead of being told our concerns don’t count,” Karlapalem said.

Hanu Karlapalem is a Madison, Alabama resident of 26 years, small technology business owner, UAH M.S. graduate, and Life Member and former Second Vice President of the Limestone County NAACP. He has been on the frontlines fighting against hate and bigotry, for voting rights and freedoms, and to protect our democracy and the Constitution. He has been married for 31 years and has deep roots in the North Alabama community through civic, professional, and community service.

For more information, visit https://www.hanu4alabama.com.