Hanu Karlapalem, the Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 4, called on state Republican leadership on Monday to publicly disavow personal attacks directed at his heritage by a local conservative political figure.
The controversy stems from online comments made by Tom Fredricks, a Priceville businessman and former NASA engineer.
Fredricks, whose retail store served as Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign headquarters in North Alabama, has sought state legislative office three times, including losing to incumbent Republican Rep. Parker Moore in the 2018 primary.
In a public social media exchange, Fredricks tagged Karlapalem and referenced India’s caste system, insisting Karlapalem should disavow his Indian lineage before discussing his civil rights advocacy.
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Fredricks further questioned Karlapalem’s legitimacy as a member and former second vice president of the Limestone County NAACP and asserted that his background disqualifies him from holding state office.
When Karlapalem replied directly to defend his civic involvement, Fredricks posted a video clip mocking racial identity.
Karlapalem, a naturalized American citizen, small technology business owner, and a long time Madison resident who holds a master’s degree from the University of Alabama in Huntsville, rejected the assertion that naturalized citizens face conditional citizenship.
Karlapalem emphasized that the rhetoric mirrors Senate Bill 21, proposed legislation that would amend the state constitution to require state elected officials to be natural-born citizens.
Karlapalem argued the measure effectively creates second-class citizens and threatens the eligibility of naturalized officeholders, pointing to conservative figures like Ohio U.S. Sen. Bernie Moreno and Lawrence County Sheriff Max Sanders, who was born in Germany before becoming a naturalized citizen.
Campaign officials urged Rep. Parker Moore and state Republican leaders to break their silence and reject the comments.
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Benard Simelton, campaign chairman, Air Force veteran, and former president of the NAACP Alabama State Conference, praised Karlapalem’s record of community service and called on Moore to take a clear stand supporting an inclusive state government.
“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” he said, according to the press release.
Karlapalem stated that remaining silent on divisive rhetoric reflects a broader refusal by the state’s legislative majority to engage constructively with constituents. Silence is a choice, this isn’t an isolated incident — it’s part of a pattern from Alabama’s Republican supermajority” he said.
Heading into the Nov. 3 general election across Morgan, Limestone, and Madison counties, Karlapalem’s platform centers on economic stability, public education funding, and expanding healthcare coverage.