False Arrest Inspires Out Queer Man to Run for Alabama Senate Seat

Dakarai Larriett, an Alabama-born entrepreneur and community advocate, never envisioned a future in electoral politics until a life-altering encounter with the justice system exposed the cracks in American institutions. In 2024, while traveling in Michigan, Larriett was unlawfully arrested by state police—a traumatic event that would become the catalyst for his run for the U.S. Senate. The arrest, later disproven by evidence obtained via a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, left Larriett exonerated but deeply unsettled by the lack of accountability in the system. Despite having access to legal resources and political connections, Larriett still struggled for months to clear his name, underscoring what he describes as “a system that is simply not working for far too many, especially those without privilege or power” .

“That really is the genesis,” Larriett explained in a recent interview. “I realized that government was not working for me, and I knew that it just was not working for other people, and it was so shocking because I was proven to be 100 percent innocent and sober after months of pushing to receive the FOIA evidence. I also had the benefit of a high-priced attorney… and even had political connections to network up to office. I still have not received justice. So, it just really made it apparent to me that the system was broken, and the only way to fix it is to change the laws” .

Larriett’s journey from corporate boardrooms—where he held executive roles at Louis Vuitton and Whirlpool—to the campaign trail has drawn attention from both local and national media. A graduate of the Alabama School of Fine Arts and the University of Alabama, Larriett returned to Birmingham to launch a successful business and invest in his local community. His activism, including volunteer work with organizations like the United Way and Meals on Wheels, forged a reputation for service and leadership.

Now, Larriett’s campaign to replace outgoing Senator Tommy Tuberville is gaining traction. He is one of three Democrats vying for the nomination in a state where Democrats surprised the nation with Doug Jones’s historic win in 2017. “The votes exist for people who want leaders they can be proud of—leaders that will fight for the right thing and not get tied up in partisan games,” he told supporters at a recent event .

Larriett’s campaign focuses on economic opportunity, education, and healthcare, but criminal justice reform has become its emotional core. “That experience showed me how broken the system is, and I know I am not alone in this,” Larriett emphasized, referencing the disproportionate impact of wrongful arrests and over-policing on Black, LGBTQ+, and other marginalized communities .

Larriett’s candidacy is distinct not only for its origin story but for its explicit centering of LGBTQ+ rights in a region where such issues are often sidelined. As an out LGBTQ+ candidate, Larriett has spoken about the importance of visibility and representation, particularly for young people in the South. His policy platform includes robust protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, improved anti-discrimination laws, and increased funding for HIV/AIDS prevention and mental health services—areas where Alabama and much of the Deep South lag behind national standards .

At a recent “Tide Against Trump” event hosted by College Democrats at the University of Alabama, Larriett emphasized that “economic opportunity and access to education are what Alabamians care about most,” while also affirming his commitment to civil rights and equality for all, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation .

Larriett’s campaign has reported a steady increase in name recognition and volunteer engagement. Internal polling shows him as the early front-runner in the Democratic primary, a promising sign for a first-time candidate. “What we’re building now is that excitement and the folks who will be the boots on the ground next year,” Larriett explained, describing the campaign’s focus on grassroots organizing and outreach to communities across Alabama .

The campaign’s official FEC filings confirm an active committee, “Elect Dakarai Larriett,” which has begun fundraising and organizing for the 2026 election cycle .