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From Alabama For Alabama

Son of a U.S. Army veteran, successful entrepreneur, longtime community volunteer, Dakarai Larriett is — above all a proud Alabama native, deeply committed to serving the citizens of his home state.

Early Life and Education

During his childhood, his father’s service led the family from Alabama to bases in Washington, California, Oklahoma and Germany. They returned home when Dakarai was in elementary school, and in the 6th grade he enrolled at Birmingham’s WJ Christian — a magnet school for gifted students. An honors student at the Alabama School of Fine Arts, he earned a full scholarship at the University of Alabama — where he studied business and economics, graduating Magna Cum Laude.

“Education has always been a central issue in my family. My mother is a public-school teacher. She taught my sister and me at home, wherever we lived during my father’s service. When we moved to Germany, she even taught at the school on our base.”

A Servant Leader

Dakarai’s passion for public service was ignited during his junior year as an exchange student at Howard University, a historically Black college and university (HBCU) in Washington, DC. At the same time, his internship at US Airways (where he worked in cargo e-commerce and supply chain management with the United States Postal Service) helped forge the professional path he’s followed ever since — first as a corporate leader, and now as a business owner and candidate for U.S. Senate.

A nationally publicized wrongful arrest in Michigan in 2024 ignited a fire within Dakarai, compelling him to run for office. This pivotal moment unveiled the deep flaws in our criminal justice system and highlighted the myriad broken systems that shape the everyday lives of Americans.

A Successful Businessman

Dakarai’s career took him from New York to Texas and Michigan before his heart drew him back to Alabama. Working full-time as a Forecasting Manager for L’Oreal managing a broad range of leading national consumer products, Dakarai entered NYU’s Stern School of Business MBA program in 2006 — earning his degree in just three years. That experience gave him the confidence to launch his own pet care business (while still working full-time) in 2012.

Like so many entrepreneurial journeys, Dakarai’s started in his garage. “I spent my weekends driving to retail shops with my dog and building relationships with the people who sold our products.” Fueled by the surge in demand for pet care that came with the pandemic, Dakarai’s company eventually reached the point where he could leave his day job at Whirlpool.

An Active Member of the Community

Dakarai has dedicated his time and resources to serving the community. For the last 20 years, Dakarai has held leadership roles on various organizational boards, advocating for equal access to housing, healthcare, and education. In addition to his volunteer work with United Way, Meals On Wheels and the Humane Society, Dakarai leads the board representing the 60 families and businesses located in the Mercantile on Morris, a mixed-use development in downtown Birmingham.

“I love my home state, and my hometown. I love our culture, our history, and our quality of life. Most of all, I love the people.”

A longtime gun hobbyist, Dakarai can often be found Saturdays at the nearby shooting range, and on Sundays at First Church Birmingham — where he’s a regular attendee.

What I Stand For

“Alabama deserves leaders who put service over self and country over party. We’ve had enough political division and chaos. It’s time to focus on real solutions that benefit everyday Americans.”
— Dakarai Larriett

Healthcare

Every Alabamian deserves access to quality, affordable healthcare. We need to, and we can, lower prescription drug costs and protect rural hospitals — while also ensuring that honest working families aren’t one medical emergency away from financial ruin. Let’s pursue common-sense solutions that put people and patients over politics.

Education

Strong schools are the foundation of a stronger Alabama. Every child — no matter where they are — deserves access to the kind of education that prepares them to become employable, responsible members of our communities. We must support our teachers, expand our technical and job training programs, and ensure that parents have a voice in their children’s education.

Safe Communities

Every family deserves to feel safe in their home, and in their community. That means supporting law enforcement, giving them the resources they need to do their jobs effectively — while also fostering mutual trust and accountability. We need policies that keep criminals off the streets, while ensuring that our justice system works for everyone.

To those of you familiar with my own personal experience, rest assured: It has not shaken my faith in law enforcement, or my respect for the men and women who faithfully serve and protect us all every day.

Jobs & Opportunity

Hard work should be rewarded, and Alabama should always be a place where businesses can thrive and workers get a fair shot. That means cutting red tape for small businesses, investing in our infrastructure, and bringing meaningful, high-paying jobs to our state. Let’s build an economy that benefits everyone.

2nd Amendment

I support the rights of responsible gun owners, while also ensuring that we have common-sense safety measures in place to protect us all. Keeping guns out of the hands of criminals, and those who pose a threat to themselves or others, is something we can all agree on.

National Security & Defense

As the son of a U.S. Army Veteran, I know how important a strong military is to protecting not only America, but our very way of life. We must invest in modern defense strategies to keep our country safe, while — at the same time — ensuring that our veterans get the care, support and respect they deserve when they return home.

Faith

Faith is a guiding light for so many of us, myself included. My upbringing in a God-centered home taught me that genuine faith unites us in a common bond, as men and women created in His image. I’ve drawn on my own faith for inspiration to serve others, with a deep sense of responsibility to demonstrating compassion and integrity in leadership. In the same way, God calls us to love our neighbors, working together toward a better future for us all.