Raised: Residency Question in Alabama Governor’s Race Involving Sen. Tuberville

Raised: A dispute over residency requirements has surfaced in Alabama’s Republican race for governor, as U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville faces a formal challenge from a primary opponent questioning whether he meets the state’s constitutional eligibility rules. The issue centers on whether Tuberville has maintained legal residency in Alabama for the required seven years leading up to the election.

Challenge Filed With State Republican Party

Ken McFeeters, a Republican candidate seeking his party’s nomination for governor, submitted the challenge this week to the Alabama Republican Party. In his filing, McFeeters argues that Tuberville does not satisfy the state’s residency standard, asserting that the senator’s primary living arrangements are outside Alabama.

Speaking in an interview, McFeeters said he believes Tuberville spends most of his time at a high-value beach property in Florida rather than at a more modest home in Auburn, Alabama, which Tuberville has identified as his official residence.

Property Records and Residency Claims

Public property records indicate that Tuberville owns a house in Auburn with an appraised value under $300,000, for which a homestead exemption has been claimed. The senator also owns a beachfront property in Florida’s Walton County, estimated to be worth several million dollars.

According to available documents, the Auburn home was initially purchased in 2017 by Tuberville’s wife and son. Tuberville’s name was later added to the deed, and his son’s name removed. More recently, both the Alabama and Florida properties were reportedly placed into a revocable trust, with Tuberville’s wife serving as trustee.

McFeeters contends that these records raise questions about where Tuberville truly resides, suggesting the Alabama address may be maintained for legal purposes rather than reflecting his primary home.

Opponent Argues Residency Is a Legal Requirement

In a letter to party officials, McFeeters wrote that existing documentation, if accurate, indicates Auburn could be serving as an address of convenience rather than a genuine domicile. He also cited what he described as frequent travel to Florida as additional support for his claim.

McFeeters said the issue is not personal but constitutional, arguing that the Republican Party has a responsibility to ensure all candidates meet eligibility standards before voters cast ballots.

Tuberville Campaign Dismisses Allegations

Tuberville’s campaign strongly rejected the challenge, describing it as politically motivated. A campaign spokesperson said the senator has maintained his primary residence in Auburn and has consistently represented Alabama interests during his time in the U.S. Senate.

The campaign also noted that similar allegations surfaced during Tuberville’s 2020 Senate campaign and did not prevent his election. Tuberville himself has previously stated that he reviewed the residency requirement before entering the gubernatorial race and believes he complies fully with state law.

Past Questions About Voting and Residency

Records show that Tuberville voted in Florida during the 2018 election cycle. He later registered to vote in Alabama in March 2019, shortly before announcing his run for the U.S. Senate. While Senate eligibility rules are less strict than those for governor, the timeline has drawn renewed attention amid the current dispute.

Before entering politics, Tuberville built a national profile as a college football coach, including a long tenure at Auburn University. After retiring from coaching, he worked as a television analyst and, in past media appearances, spoke openly about relocating to Florida.

Party Review Process and Legal Interpretation

The Alabama Republican Party confirmed that eligibility challenges are reviewed by its 21-member steering committee. Party officials said the committee will determine whether sufficient evidence exists to move the matter forward to a formal hearing. No timeline has been announced, and the party declined to comment on the merits of the case.

Legal scholars note that the Alabama Constitution’s residency language is open to interpretation. While it requires gubernatorial candidates to have been residents for at least seven years prior to the election, the provision does not clearly specify whether those years must be continuous.

Some experts argue that historical precedent and political tradition in Alabama favor a strict, consecutive interpretation, particularly given the state’s long-standing preference for leaders with deep local roots.

Implications for the Republican Primary

McFeeters said he hopes the party will thoroughly examine the issue and require clear documentation demonstrating continuous residency. The outcome of the review could influence the dynamics of the Republican primary, especially if the challenge advances to a formal hearing.

For now, Tuberville remains on the campaign trail, while party officials weigh whether the residency dispute warrants further action.