Dakarai Larriett is a businessman and Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate, positioning himself as an entrepreneur focused on economic opportunity, education, and healthcare. Son of a U.S. Army veteran and a teacher, Larriett was born in Birmingham and attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts before earning a full scholarship to the University of Alabama, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in business and economics. He earned an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business and worked in corporate roles before launching his own pet care business. Larriett's campaign was sparked by a 2024 wrongful arrest incident in Michigan where he claims he was unlawfully detained; he is pursuing a $10 million lawsuit against Michigan State Police. He announced his candidacy on April 7, 2025.
Larriett was born in Alabama and is son of a U.S. Army veteran and public school teacher. His family moved frequently during his father's military service, living in Alabama, Washington, California, Oklahoma, and Germany before returning to Alabama for elementary school. He attended WJ Christian magnet school in Birmingham and Alabama School of Fine Arts. He earned a full scholarship to the University of Alabama, graduating Magna Cum Laude with a degree in business and economics. He earned an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business and worked as a Forecasting Manager for L'Oreal managing consumer products before starting his pet care business in 2012. He served on boards including Bronx Community Pride Center and volunteers with United Way, Meals on Wheels, and the Humane Society.
Pro-business but worker-focused
Believes hard work should be rewarded; small businesses should thrive; workers should get fair wages; cutting red tape is essential.
Voting History: No prior voting record; positioning informed by business background and campaign polling
Quality public education advocate
Mother was a public school teacher; believes education is central to opportunity; invested in learning at all levels.
Voting History: No prior voting record; personal background drives position
Affordable healthcare for all
Families should not face impossible choices between bills and medicine; healthcare should be accessible.
Voting History: No prior voting record
Reform-minded
Wrongful arrest in 2024 crystallized commitment to fixing broken systems; pursuing $10 million lawsuit against Michigan State Police.
Voting History: No prior voting record; inspired by personal experience
Anti-partisan/unity-focused
Emphasizes that 'division and political chaos' hurt America; believes in solutions that transcend party lines.
Voting History: No prior voting record
Larriett has no prior voting record in elected office. His background is corporate (L'Oreal forecasting manager), entrepreneurial (pet care business), and nonprofit (board member). He is a first-time political candidate.
Larriett's tone is optimistic, solution-focused, and personal. Less partisan and combative than Republican candidates; emphasizes unity and problem-solving. Uses personal narrative (wrongful arrest) to build emotional connection. Campaign acknowledges he must overcome 'Democrat' label in red state by focusing on kitchen-table issues that appeal across party lines.
Book release and reading events for 'Don't Flush' - memoir about wrongful arrest experience
Unusual for Senate candidate to focus on personal memoir; strategy to build name recognition and connect with voters emotionally
View post →Larriett's wrongful arrest and lawsuit make him unqualified or distracted from Senate work
Republicans may frame lawsuit as partisan grievance or distraction