Broken politics, wrongful arrest push Alabama Democrats into runoff for U.S. Senate

Alabama Democratic voters are headed back to the polls next week to decide which candidate will represent the party in the race for the U.S. Senate. The runoff election, set for June 16, features a contest between former judge Everett Wess and businessman Dakarai Larriett.

The Path to the Runoff

The upcoming vote follows a tight primary held on May 19. Wess led the field with 39% of the vote, while Larriett finished close behind with 29%. Both candidates are now ramping up their efforts to secure the nomination.

Dakarai Larriett: A Focus on Systemic Change

Larriett attributes his decision to run to a harrowing personal experience. After being wrongfully arrested while driving through Michigan—a case where he says he was mistreated by state police and witnessed officers attempting to plant drugs in his vehicle—Larriett shifted his focus toward criminal justice, education, and economic reform.

"If we could fix those things on the front end, the criminal justice issues really go away," Larriett stated, noting that many societal systems feed into a broken justice pipeline. His platform emphasizes early education as a key tool to break cycles of poverty. Reflecting on his own background, which includes graduating from the Alabama School of Fine Arts and earning a full scholarship to the University of Alabama, Larriett advocates for a fully funded Department of Education and more affordable pathways to degrees to ensure students aren't burdened by crushing debt.

Everett Wess: Stability and Civility

Opponent Everett Wess, an attorney and former judge, shares a strong commitment to education. With a background that includes studies at Selma University, Alabama A&M University, and the Birmingham School of Law, Wess argues that federal funding for grants and student loans is vital for societal success. Beyond education, Wess is critical of recent federal job cuts, specifically citing the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which he believes has destabilized the economy.

"The lack of civility that’s going on, it just seemed like Congress wasn’t exercising their duties in the way that the Constitution contemplated," Wess said. "I just wanted to offer myself to represent the people of Alabama and try to get us back to civility."

Healthcare Priorities

Healthcare remains a central issue for both camps. Wess is pushing for increased federal support for rural hospitals to reduce the long travel times many residents currently face to reach medical care. Meanwhile, Larriett, who previously held leadership roles at the Bronx Community Pride Center, is focused on the impact of expired Affordable Care Act subsidies. He is also a vocal critic of the changes made to Medicaid and Medicare under the previous administration, pledging to repeal them if elected.

Contrasting Backgrounds

The choice for voters ultimately comes down to different types of experience. Wess highlights his time as a municipal court judge, prosecutor, and public defender as proof of his ability to remain impartial and deliberate. Larriett, conversely, embraces his outsider status, arguing that his private sector career prepared him to prioritize results over partisanship. "No, I don’t have a background in politics, but that’s not what the voters are looking for," Larriett said. "They’re looking for people who get things done."