Alabama State House District 4 Democratic nominee Hanu Karlapalem launched a sharp critique against Republican incumbent Rep. Parker Moore on Wednesday, accusing him of failing to represent constituents during a local debate on housing affordability.
Speaking first at a recent Madison City Council hearing regarding a proposed short-term rental ordinance, according to the press release, Karlapalem criticized Moore for sitting silently in the back row of the chamber without addressing the council or taking a public stance on the issue.
Karlapalem linked his silence to the campaign finance records, pointing out that Moore has accepted $79,500 from 48 special interest contributors, including builder and real estate political action committees (PACs).
“That is not representation. That is not leadership,” Karlapalem said. “That is a back-row seat paid for by builder and real estate PAC money.”
READ: Trump cancels signing of bipartisan affordable housing bill despite passing at Congress (June 24, 2026)
During the council meeting, Karlapalem spoke about the local survey data showing that 75% of respondents are concerned about short-term rentals in single-family neighborhoods. He urged local officials to restrict corporate investors, absentee landlords, and real estate funds while supporting individual homeowners like retirees, veterans, and seniors.
The local dispute mirrors a broader housing policy gridlock. Karlapalem noted that while Congress recently passed the bipartisan 21st Century Road to Housing Act to restrict corporate home purchases, its signing was abruptly delayed after President Donald Trump threatened to block the legislation unless Congress passes the separate SAVE America Act. Karlapalem criticized Moore for remaining silent on both the federal gridlock and the local housing strain.
According to the challenger, the housing affordability crisis directly impacts regional public employees. Alabama teachers are scheduled for a 2% pay raise starting Oct. 1, which falls short of the current 4.2% inflation rate, while starting salaries for Madison police and fire department workers remain in the low $50,000s. Karlapalem cited Harvard Business Review research connecting increased short-term rental listings to rising rental costs that price out working families.
READ: U.S. Senate passes bipartisan housing bill aimed at improving affordability (March 13, 2026)
Karlapalem, a Madison resident of 26 years and former Second Vice President of the Limestone County NAACP, stated that his campaign refuses all PAC or special interest funding. If elected, he committed to a seven-point legislative platform. This includes enforcing mandatory sex offender registry screening on rental platforms, protecting local government authority to set strict rental rules, restricting corporate single-family home purchases, and pushing for public employee raises that outpace inflation.
Moore has not publicly responded to the criticisms, Karlapalem’s debate challenges, or seven months of direct email correspondence, while the general election for District 4, which spans parts of Morgan, Limestone, and Madison counties, is set to take place on Nov. 3.