ALGOP Moves Forward With Hearing on Challenge to Tuberville Governor Candidacy Over Residency Dispute

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (BuzzReport) — The Alabama Republican Party has agreed to hold a formal hearing to review a challenge questioning U.S. Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s eligibility to appear on the ballot as the party’s nominee for governor, marking a new phase in a politically charged residency dispute that has shadowed his campaign.

According to party officials, the Alabama GOP Candidate Committee voted to advance the complaint filed by Republican primary challenger Ken McFeeters, who argues that Tuberville does not meet the state’s constitutional residency requirements to run for governor. A hearing is now expected to be scheduled for mid-June at the Birmingham offices of Balch & Bingham, where party officials will evaluate the merits of the challenge.

Tuberville, a former Auburn University football coach and current U.S. senator, secured the Republican nomination in May after a dominant primary performance. However, McFeeters has continued to press the issue, claiming Tuberville does not satisfy Alabama’s requirement that gubernatorial candidates be citizens of the state for at least seven years prior to the election.

At the center of the dispute is Tuberville’s long-running residency history, including claims that he maintains significant ties to both Alabama and Florida. McFeeters has argued that Tuberville’s primary residence is outside the state, pointing to property records and previous questions raised during his Senate tenure. Tuberville’s campaign has repeatedly rejected those allegations, insisting he has maintained valid Alabama residency and calling the challenge politically motivated.

The Alabama GOP had previously dismissed similar residency complaints earlier in the election cycle, but the latest decision to proceed to a formal hearing signals a renewed internal review of the issue rather than an outright rejection.

Party attorney David Bowsher confirmed in a message to McFeeters that the committee had voted to move forward with a hearing, stating that the process will allow both sides to present evidence before a final determination is made.

While Tuberville remains the GOP nominee and a frontrunner heading into the general election, the upcoming hearing introduces a new layer of uncertainty into an already closely watched gubernatorial race. The outcome could determine whether the challenge is permanently dismissed or escalated into further legal or party-level action.

For now, both campaigns are preparing for the next stage of proceedings as Alabama Republicans weigh one of the most high-profile eligibility disputes in the state’s 2026 election cycle.