Karlapalem: Parker Moore's Comments Insult HD4's Intelligence

From the Karlapalem campaign

MADISON, Alabama — State Rep. Parker Moore told the Decatur-Morgan County Chamber of Commerce this week that public opposition to data centers has been driven by “foreign disinformation,” while arguing Alabama needs data center development to compete with China in an “arms race.” Democratic nominee Hanu Karlapalem, running against Moore in House District 4, said the comments show Moore is more interested in dismissing HD4 residents than representing them.

Moore also told the Chamber that a bitcoin-mining facility proposed near Somerville “is not actually a data center,” distinguishing it from conventional data centers.

“Bitcoin mining isn’t digging in the ground, and it isn’t a different animal from a data center in any way that matters to the people living next door,” Karlapalem said. “Both are warehouses full of computers running around the clock, drawing power and water, day and night. As an Information Technologist with a Master’s degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, I understand exactly how these systems work. Parker Moore doesn’t need to explain this to HD4 like we can’t tell the difference. We can. What Parker Moore is really saying is that his constituents can’t tell the difference between two buildings with the same power draw, water use, and noise. That’s not a technical distinction. That’s a condescending one.”

Karlapalem noted that local governments across the state, including several led by Republicans, have already taken the concerns Moore dismissed seriously: Morgan County has enacted a one year moratorium on new data center development, Birmingham has a six month moratorium, and Decatur’s own planning director recently told the city council that Decatur “can’t support a large scale” facility. Cullman and Athens have also moved to establish local controls.

“These aren’t outside agitators. These are Alabama officials, in Parker Moore’s own backyard, doing the careful work of protecting their communities,” Karlapalem said. “Meanwhile Parker Moore is suggesting his own constituents have been fooled by foreign disinformation, instead of doing that work himself.”

“People across HD4 are fed up with being talked down to,” Karlapalem said. “Being dismissed instead of heard is exactly why this seat needs to change hands in November.”

Karlapalem also called on Moore to debate him publicly.

“If Parker Moore is confident in his position on data centers, energy costs, and the issues facing HD4, he should be willing to defend it in front of the people he represents,” Karlapalem said. “He has already ignored challenges to three debates. HD4 deserves a real conversation, not talking points and not avoidance.”

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

We will defeat the Republican supermajority swamp on November 3 and build an Alabama We Can Afford – lower costs, stronger public schools, real healthcare. Hanu will continue to fight for every Alabamian, by birth or by choice. Economy First. People First. Constitution First. Hanu urges all eligible voters in Alabama State House District 4, Morgan, Limestone, and Madison counties, to register, organize, and turn out for the November 3, 2026 general election.

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. He is the Democratic nominee for Alabama State House District 4 in the November 3, 2026, general election.