Franklin County Democrats to host U.S. Senate Democratic Candidate forum

The Franklin County Democratic Party has landed a major event, as it will host a forum for Democratic candidates seeking the party nomination for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Tommy Tuberville next year.

Local Democratic Chairman Rick Neighbors told the FFP the three candidates who have announced intentions to seek the Democratic nomination in the May 19, 2026 primary have committed to attend the forum in Russellville. They include businessman Dakarai Larriett, businessman Kyle Sweetser and Mark Wheeler, a chemist.

The forum will begin at 6:30 p.m., at the A.W. Todd Centre in downtown Russellville. 

While the Democratic nominee will face long odds to win Tuberville’s seat in a state where Republicans hold every statewide elected seat and all but two Congressional district seats, there will still be statewide attention on Franklin County as it hosts the Senate candidate forum.

According to an itinerary provided to the FFP, after a welcome from the event coordinator, candidates will each make a three-minute opening statement, followed by a moderator-led question and answer session, with each candidate having 2-2.5 minutes to respond.

Questions will be submitted by those in attendance and questions selected for use will be chosen by a sorting committee comprised of 5-7 volunteers with no affiliation to any campaign.

Questions must be short, specific and relevant to the United States Senate race.

Ben Harris, Vice Chair for County Affairs with the Alabama State Democratic Executive Committee, praised the Franklin County Committee’s efforts in organizing the event.

“Outstanding work! Thank you Rick and everyone! I know this will be a very successful forum,” Harris said.