U.S. Senate candidate Dakarai Larriett recently attacked fellow Democratic candidate Kyle Sweetser ahead of the May 19 primary, accusing Sweetser of masquerading as a Democrat and pointing to Sweetser’s past as a self-described lifelong Republican who voted for Donald Trump three times.
“This May 19, Alabama Democrats face a critical opportunity to nominate a candidate for U.S. senator who will not only advocate aggressively for the people but also champion transformative policies investing in voting rights, education, health care and economic opportunity,” Larriett said in a recent press release. “This election represents a once-in-a-generation chance that we cannot afford to miss.”
“Unfortunately, the current election cycle has revealed an alarming trend: Certain Republicans are running as Democrats,” he said. “One candidate, Kyle Sweetser, stands out, having voted for Donald Trump three times.”
In an August 2024 post on X, Sweetser said he voted for Trump three times: in the 2016 Republican primary, the 2016 general election and the 2020 general election.
“When voters go to the ballot box to elect a mayor, governor or senator, they are placing their trust in that individual to make difficult decisions every day—decisions often made with incomplete information,” Larriett said. “Voting for Trump even once reflects a lack of discernment and empathy. Voting for him twice suggests full agreement with his policies, while voting for him three times should disqualify anyone from running as a Democrat in any state.”
Larriett previously launched a campaign advertisement in March titled “Unmasking Kyle Sweetser: The Republican Running as a Democrat for Alabama’s US Senate!” The ad includes clips of Sweetser describing himself as a Republican and records of donations he made to Republican organizations as recently as December 2024.
“My campaign is committed to ensuring that the values of true Democrats are represented. To that end, we have launched an ad highlighting the lack of democratic ideals in this particular candidate,” Larriett said in a recent press release. “This ad is not an attack on Republicans in general; it is focused on an individual Republican erroneously running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate. Democrats must have the right to choose a candidate who genuinely represents their values.”
In the same press release, Larriett pointed to his experience as a community advocate and corporate executive. He also highlighted his advocacy for SNAP and Medicare funding and his opposition to Central Alabama Water’s controversial firing of more than 130 employees.
“This is the kind of leadership we require—a senator who is not only aware of the issues affecting our community but is also willing to take action,” Larriett said. “My commitment to advocacy goes beyond words; it’s about tangible actions that make a real difference. As we approach the May 19 election, it’s crucial to choose a candidate who embodies these values—someone ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work.”
Sweetser responded to Larriett’s criticism in a written statement to APR, saying he would have no incentive to masquerade as a Democrat in Alabama.
“That determination [of whether I should be allowed to run as a Democrat] is for the AL Democratic Party to make and they’ve already made it,” Sweetser told APR. “This just sounds like someone who is losing trying to rig the election because they know they are losing. Dakarai is looking and acting far more like a Republican than I am.”
“Please say that out loud and think about it: Dakarai is alleging that a Republican is choosing to run as a Democrat instead of a Republican IN ALABAMA!” Sweetser said. “For what possible reason would someone choose to take the hardest path possible to win an election? All while the Republicans are in special session trying to rig the electoral map so no Democrat can win in Alabama ever. Dakarai clearly has a very low opinion of the intelligence of Alabama Democrat primary voters.”
Larriett, Sweetser, Lamont Lavender and Mark Wheeler are running for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Alabama. The four candidates will face off in the May 19 primary.
